Controller

WESTRAFO AMERICA LLC•Trotwood, OH

2h•Onsite

About The Position

Purpose: We are seeking a highly capable and hands-on Controller to join our leadership team at our newly launched electrical transformer manufacturing facility. Backed by a private investment firm, this operation represents a strategic growth platform with ambitious scale-up goals. The Controller will be instrumental in establishing the financial infrastructure, cost controls, and performance metrics needed to support operational excellence and investor reporting. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing, finance, preferably in electrical equipment or engineered products, with proven experience in cost accounting, ERP implementation, and working in a high-growth environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (Master's or MBA preferred).
CPA or CMA certification strongly preferred.
7+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing finance, ideally with exposure to electrical equipment, capital-intensive products, or transformer manufacturing.
Experience in private equity or an investor-backed environment is strongly preferred.
Experience in a startup environment is a strong plus.
Deep knowledge of cost accounting, manufacturing performance metrics, and ERP systems (SAP preferred).
Strong Excel and financial modeling skills; experience with BI/reporting tools is a plus.
Excellent leadership, analytical, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

Act as a key financial partner to the Plant Manager and the investment team, providing insight into financial performance, risks, and opportunities.
Establish financial processes from the ground up in alignment with private equity expectations (e.g., cash flow focus, KPI tracking, monthly dashboards).
Lead budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning activities.
Design and implement a robust cost accounting system tailored for transformer production (including BOMs, labor routing, and overhead allocation).
Analyze manufacturing costs, variances, scrap, and yield metrics to support lean initiatives and margin optimization.
Monitor and improve inventory accuracy, valuation, and controls (raw materials, WIP, finished goods).
Oversee all general accounting functions (GL, AR/AP, fixed assets, etc.), ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with GAAP.
Lead the month-end close process and ensure timely preparation of financial statements.
Coordinate year-end audits, tax filings, and external reporting requirements.
Drive automation of reporting and integration of manufacturing data with financial reporting tools.
Build and lead a high-performing finance and accounting team as operations scale.
Foster a culture of transparency and continuous improvement across financial functions.