What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Controller position at Bowden Manufacturing?
Controller
Overview
At Bowden Manufacturing, we’re a fast-growing aerospace and defense manufacturer based in Lake County, Ohio. We’re seeking an experienced Controller to lead our finance and accounting operations. This is a high-impact leadership role for a proven finance professional with strong manufacturing expertise and the drive to shape the company’s financial performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct and oversee all core accounting operations: A/P, A/R, payroll, cash management, and general ledger.
- Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes; prepare accurate, timely, GAAP-compliant financial statements.
- Provide detailed analysis of balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow to support leadership decisions.
- Drive cost accounting, inventory control, and margin analysis; partner with Production, Engineering, and all departments to improve ERP accuracy, cycle counts, and scrap reduction.
- Manage cash flow forecasting, borrowing base reporting, and banking relationships.
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis; guide leadership on operational and strategic planning.
- Coordinate external audits and ensure compliance with GAAP, ITAR, and all regulatory requirements.
- Lead tax planning and compliance in partnership with external advisors.
- Recommend and implement process improvements across accounting, reporting, and ERP workflows.
- Monitor key financial metrics, providing proactive recommendations to drive results.
- Support capital investment analysis, pricing strategy, and long-term growth planning.
- Present financial insights, forecasts, and recommendations directly to executive leadership.
Qualifications
- U.S. Citizenship required (due to aerospace/defense compliance).
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- 8–12 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including 5 years in a leadership role within manufacturing.
- Expertise in GAAP, cost accounting, inventory control, and financial compliance.
- Proven ERP system experience (Acumatica, NetSuite, SAP, Infor, or similar).
- Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.
- Hands-on, results-driven leader with the initiative to improve processes and deliver measurable impact.
Why Join Us?
At Bowden Manufacturing, this isn’t a back-office role. As our Controller, you’ll have full ownership of finance and accounting, while also shaping strategic decisions that drive growth. You’ll in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your contributions will be highly visible and impactful. For the right leader, this role offers a clear path to significant advancement potential as Bowden continues to expand.