Junior Controller (Operations)

GWS Tool Group•Surprise, IL

About The Position

The Junior Controller (Operations) serves as a hands-on finance partner to GWS Tool Group’s operations team and assigned manufacturing locations. The role translates production and financial data into actionable insights to improve cost performance, inventory accuracy, working capital, and operational profitability. Working with location leaders, production, procurement, and Financial Control, the Junior Controller investigates performance variances, identifies root causes, and follows corrective actions through measurable results. The role analyzes manufacturing costs and operational performance; monitors inventory and working capital; coordinates month-end close, reporting, budgets, and forecasts; and prepares and validates business cases for investments and process changes. It also supports consistent costing, inventory controls, reporting, ERP data quality, system enhancements, audits, documentation, and training across assigned locations. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
Five or more years of progressive accounting or finance experience, including direct responsibility for manufacturing cost accounting, inventory, and operational variance analysis.
Experience with standard costing, inventory valuation, overhead absorption, account reconciliations, and manufacturing financial controls.
Advanced Excel skills and experience analyzing ERP data.
Ability to investigate beyond summary reports, connect financial results to production activity, and communicate practical recommendations to operations leaders.
Strong analytical judgment, attention to detail, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and influence cross-functional teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Proficiency in accounting and tax preparation software.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
Ability to travel to assigned locations.
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; ability to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Infor Visual ERP.
Experience working with multiple manufacturing locations.

Responsibilities

Analyze material, labor, and overhead costs by location, product, work order, or process to identify cost drivers and improvement opportunities.
Investigate actual performance against standard costs, prior periods, budgets, and forecasts, and explain material usage and purchase price variances, labor efficiency, scrap and rework, overhead absorption, and production volume impacts.
Partner with plant leaders to validate findings on the production floor, develop corrective actions, and track financial results and sustainable savings.
Review costing inputs, including bills of material, routings, labor and machine rates, and overhead allocation methods; coordinate corrections and cost updates with operations and finance.
Develop operational KPIs and reporting for productivity, conversion costs, scrap, capacity utilization, and inventory performance; present explanations and recommended actions.
Monitor raw materials, work in process, and finished goods; reconcile inventory subledgers to the general ledger and investigate valuation, quantity, and transaction discrepancies.
Partner with locations to strengthen cycle-counting and physical-inventory procedures, investigate count variances, and address recurring control weaknesses.
Analyze inventory aging, excess and obsolete stock, and reserve requirements; recommend adjustments in coordination with Financial Control.
Work with operations and procurement to improve inventory turns, reduce excess stock, and manage working capital while supporting production and customer service requirements.
Coordinate timely month-end close activities for assigned locations with the General Accounting team, including inventory and cost accounting entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
Validate location results and prepare operational performance reviews highlighting variances, risks, opportunities, and corrective actions in accordance with corporate reporting requirements.
Support location budgets and forecasts using production volumes, staffing, material costs, operating expenses, and capital plans; challenge assumptions with operations and explain deviations.
Prepare and validate business cases for capital investments, capacity changes, make-versus-buy decisions, and process improvements; assess payback, return on investment, and post-investment performance.
Standardize costing, inventory controls, reporting, and analysis across assigned locations with Financial Control and operations.
Improve ERP data quality and reporting tools; support finance system enhancements, process documentation, and training for location teams.
Support internal and external audits, maintain appropriate documentation, and promote compliance with applicable accounting standards and corporate policies.
Perform other related duties as assigned.