Controller

Job Summary:

Symbiote, Inc. is a family-owned, growth-oriented manufacturer of custom laboratory, educational, healthcare, and workplace solutions. We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead the accounting and financial operations of our organization. This role is ideal for a hands-on financial leader who thrives in a small but complex manufacturing environment and enjoys partnering with operations, supply chain, engineering, and sales to improve business performance.

The Controller will oversee all accounting functions, financial reporting, budgeting, cash management, ERP administration support, cost accounting, and internal controls. The successful candidate will have strong manufacturing accounting experience, deep knowledge of ERP systems, and a proven ability to develop meaningful financial data that drives operational decision-making. In partnership with leadership and key functional leaders, the Controller will also establish and maintain enterprise risk management protocols, including financial risk mitigation strategies, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery processes to safeguard the organization's assets and operations.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Lead all accounting and finance, activities for the company.
• Lead the development of the annual operating plan and budget.
• Prepare accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including management commentary and insights regarding key issues affecting performance.
• Forecast financial performance and proactively identify issues that may negatively impact results.
• Present financial results and key business metrics to ownership and the leadership team.
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are appropriately reconciled, reviewed, and approved by an independent and qualified individual.
• Oversee cash management, banking relationships, and working capital requirements.
• Partner with key members of the organization to develop and implement risk mitigation protocols that safeguard the company's financial and operational objectives.

Manufacturing Cost Accounting

• Own product costing methodologies, standard costing, and cost analysis, and develop departmental structures and the chart of accounts, as necessary, to support costing requirements.
• Analyze labor, material, overhead, and manufacturing variances on both a monthly and year-to-date basis, and provide recommendations to offset or mitigate unfavorable variances, including:
• Spending variances
• Absorption variances
• Other variances as identified
• Develop and maintain accurate product costing and profitability reporting capabilities by multiple data elements, including customer channel, product line, and product family.
• Partner with operations to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve margins, including make-versus-buy analyses where appropriate.
• Evaluate inventory valuation and ensure accurate inventory accounting.
• Monitor and report on manufacturing efficiency, productivity, and absorption rates.

ERP Systems & Data Management

• Ensure the integrity of financial and operational data within the ERP environment, including standard costs and rates.
• Develop meaningful reports, dashboards, and key performance indicators for leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes through automation and system enhancements.
• Support future ERP optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.

Business Partnership

• Collaborate closely with operations, purchasing, engineering, and sales teams.
• Assist in pricing strategies, margin analysis, and new product costing.
• Provide financial analysis on capital expenditures, equipment investments, and strategic initiatives.
• Support growth initiatives and long-term business planning.

Compliance, Controls & Risk Management

• Maintain effective internal controls and accounting procedures and develop policies for management review and approval, where applicable.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, banks, insurance providers, and tax advisors.
• Coordinate business insurance programs and annual renewals.
• Lead financial risk management activities, including business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local reporting requirements.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop accounting staff.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, financial discipline, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA, CMA, or similar professional designation.
• Seven to ten years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Minimum of five years of manufacturing accounting experience.
• Strong cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP systems; Syteline experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting, standard costing, and manufacturing variances.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience in engineer-to-order, make-to-order, or custom manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting privately held or family-owned businesses.
• Experience implementing or improving ERP systems and reporting structures.

Personal Characteristics

The successful candidate will be:

• Accountable, hands-on, and willing to roll up their sleeves.
• Comfortable working in a lean organization where responsibilities are broad and varied.
• Curious and analytical, with a desire to understand how the business operates.
• Results-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Able to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day execution.
• Motivated by the opportunity to make a significant impact and grow with the business.