Business Unit Controller 

Location: Chicago, IL
Work Arrangement: Remote/Hybrid
Compensation: $150,000 base salary + 10% annual bonus
Employment Type: Direct Hire

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Business Unit Controller to oversee financial performance, accounting operations, and strategic financial planning for a manufacturing-focused business unit. This position will serve as a key financial partner to business and operational leadership, providing comprehensive financial oversight while driving profitability, operational efficiency, and long-term business performance.

The ideal candidate brings a strong combination of accounting expertise, financial planning and analysis, business partnering, and leadership capabilities. This individual will go beyond traditional financial reporting by interpreting financial results, identifying business trends and opportunities, and translating complex financial information into actionable recommendations that influence strategic and operational decisions.

This role will play a critical part in strengthening financial performance, improving margins, optimizing resource allocation, and supporting business growth through financial insights, process improvements, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Unit Financial Leadership: Oversee financial performance, accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls for the business unit, ensuring accurate and timely financial results and alignment with corporate financial objectives.

• Financial Planning & Analysis: Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and variance analysis across the business unit. Evaluate financial performance against business objectives and identify risks, trends, and opportunities.

• Strategic Business Partnership: Partner closely with business unit leadership, operations, and cross-functional stakeholders to provide financial insights, influence business decisions, and support strategic planning and execution.

• Business Performance & Profitability: Analyze revenue, margins, operating expenses, manufacturing costs, productivity, and profitability drivers. Identify opportunities to improve financial performance, operational efficiency, and overall business results.

• Accounting & Financial Reporting: Oversee month-end close, general ledger activities, account reconciliations, financial statements, and reporting processes. Ensure compliance with accounting policies, financial standards, and corporate procedures.

• Manufacturing & Operational Finance: Provide financial oversight and analysis of manufacturing operations, including standard costing, inventory valuation, labor and material costs, manufacturing overhead, production variances, and capital expenditures.

• Financial Insights & Decision Support: Develop financial models, scenario analyses, dashboards, and performance metrics to support business planning, pricing decisions, capital allocation, profitability improvement, and strategic initiatives.

• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, develop, and support accounting and finance personnel while promoting accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and strong financial management practices.

• Working Capital & Cash Flow Management: Monitor inventory, working capital, cash flow, and other key financial metrics. Identify opportunities to improve cash conversion, financial efficiency, and resource utilization.

• Financial Controls & Compliance: Maintain effective internal controls, support audits and SOX compliance where applicable, and ensure adherence to accounting policies, financial reporting requirements, and corporate governance standards.

• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement improvements to financial processes, reporting systems, data integrity, and business performance analytics to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with corporate finance, FP&A, accounting, operations, and executive leadership to ensure financial strategies support broader business objectives and operational priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

• 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, preferably within a manufacturing, industrial, or operationally complex environment.

• Demonstrated experience in business unit controllership, divisional finance, manufacturing finance, or operational finance leadership.

• Strong background in both accounting and financial planning and analysis, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling.

• Experience overseeing financial performance, interpreting business results, and providing strategic recommendations to leadership.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing financial operations, cost accounting, inventory management, and profitability analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, challenge assumptions, and drive business decisions through financial insights.

• Experience leading or developing accounting and finance teams.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with ERP systems, financial reporting tools, and business intelligence platforms.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities, navigate complex business environments, and drive continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, CMA, MBA, or other relevant professional certification.

• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities, business units, or divisions.

• Experience partnering directly with business unit leaders, general managers, or executive leadership.

• Familiarity with SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, or similar ERP systems.

• Experience with financial consolidation systems, data warehouses, Power BI, or other business intelligence tools.

• Knowledge of SOX compliance, internal controls, audit procedures, and corporate financial governance.

• Experience implementing financial process improvements, reporting automation, or financial systems enhancements.