Controller/Director of Finance - Manufacturing

About Us:

Brennan Staffing Group Inc. is a Boston-area boutique recruiting firm specializing in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, and Administrative placements. We’ve built a reputation for delivering high-impact talent solutions—from staff-level professionals to CFOs—for clients across many industries. Our clients rely on us to find exceptional talent, whether for a staff-level position or a senior executive role.

Manufacturing - Onsite

We are seeking a dynamic, hands-on Controller to join our leadership team and play a critical role in the continued growth and operational excellence of our organization. Reporting directly to the C-Suite, this role is ideal for a finance leader who thrives in a manufacturing environment, enjoys being close to the business, and is passionate about building strong teams, scalable processes, and actionable financial insights.

This is not a desk-only role. The Controller will actively engage with operations, spend time on the shop floor, and partner closely with leadership and department managers to drive efficiency, collaboration, and informed decision-making across the organization.

As Controller, you will serve as both the financial steward of the organization and a strategic business partner to leadership. You’ll ensure the integrity of the financials, streamline and modernize accounting processes, and help build a finance function that is agile, cross-trained, and aligned with long-term business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end close, financial forecasting, and preparation of comprehensive monthly reporting packages.
• Deliver clear, actionable financial reports to the President, Executive Vice President Team, and Department Managers.
• Manage company-wide budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow activities.
• Learn and understand all aspects of the business, including estimating, project management, purchasing, and their integration with the accounting and ERP systems.
• Engage directly with operations and the shop floor to ensure financial processes reflect real-world workflows.
• Deliver clear, actionable financial reports to the C-Suite and Department Managers.
• Manage company-wide budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow activities.
• Oversee payroll, accounts payable (AP), and accounts receivable (AR).
• Prepare and reconcile journal entries for balance sheet, income statement, payroll, expense accounts, and cash flow statements.
• Maintain banking relationships and perform monthly bank reconciliations.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and integrate budgets into company systems.
• Identify opportunities to lean out processes, eliminate waste, and improve accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Ensure accounting modules within the ERP system fully reconcile with the inventory module.
• Lead or support ERP implementations and transitions, including data migration and integration of legacy systems.
• Build and realign the accounting department into a cross-functional, fully cross-trained team.
• Mentor, train, and coach staff in a hands-on manner.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Experience Required

• 5 years as a Controller or in a similar finance leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
• 10 years of accounting experience
• 3 years of experience with cost accounting
• 2 years of hands-on cash management experience.
• Proven experience selecting, implementing, or overseeing ERP systems, including legacy data integration.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required
• CMA or CPA is desired.

***Compensation for this role is in the 150-160K Base range.***