Assistant Operations Controller

Description

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Assistant Operations Controller will play a crucial role in the finance team, contributing to the financial success of our cutting-edge greenhouse operations. This position offers a unique opportunity for an established plant controller, or for a career minded individual with finance talent to progress via a clear pathway towards a controllership position.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manufacturing Accounting & Costing

• Support all aspects of accounting for greenhouse operations including inventory, Cost of Goods Sold, manufacturing expenses and production related accruals
• Support the standard cost process, including annual standard cost updates and ongoing review of cost assumptions
• Collaborate with the finance team to analyze and interpret financial data related to greenhouse operations including standard costs of manufacturing, purchase price variances, material usage variances and other manufacturing variances
• Review inventory transactions and manufacturing activity for completeness and accuracy
• Support inventory valuation and accuracy for Company and ensure that inventory provisions are accurate
• Support physical inventory counts and reconciliation / investigation of differences

Month End Close and Financial Reporting

• Support the monthly, quarterly and annual financial close for greenhouse operations
• Prepare journal entries, inventory account reconciliations, accruals and supporting schedules
• Ensure that inventory and Cost of Goods Sold are accurately stated and reconciled to the General Ledger
• Prepare and review Operations P&L with greenhouse leadership and translate financial results into actionable information for non-financial leaders
• Develop and offer recommendations for improvement and implementing new accounting and internal control processes, operations process control procedures and relevant commercial analysis utilizing cost accounting principles and excellent business analysis, particularly in inventory business and capital expenditure processes.
• Support month end close process including reconciliations and analysis with local ownership of inventory and construction in progress with the help of your team.
• Work closely with operational teams to understand and align financial goals with business objectives.
• Support financial planning / budget process for the site, including the preparation of annual budgets.
• Pursue personal goals towards excellence including certifications and continuing education.

Operations Finance

• Partner with McAdoo / Manchester facility operations leadership as well as the Corporate Controller in monitoring and reporting financial results for the business.
• Partner with plant operational leaders to understand financial performance and key cost drivers
• Provide financial analysis to support cost reduction and greenhouse operational improvement / capital investment decisions
• Develop and monitor greenhouse KPIs, including production costs, yield, scrap, labor efficiency, inventory levels
• Assist operations leaders in developing annual budgets and ad hoc analysis

People Development

• Lead and mentor the Finance coordinator to help run the financial close and collaboration with operations at the McAdoo, PA and Manchester, TN facilities.
• Lead and mentor the Plant Finance Lead in Manchester, TN to ensure they are meeting all responsibilities for the financial close and collaboration with operations for that location.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Requirements

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Business or Finance.
• CPA or other relevant certifications or a master’s degree would be a plus.
• 5-7 years of accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing or facility-based setting.
• Experience in the agriculture industry or CEA experience a plus but not required.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to relate operational activities to financial outcomes.
• Motivated to work in the Controlled Environment Agriculture industry.
• Desire to progress towards a greenhouse controllership position.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, strong interpersonal skills are a must, as well as willingness to accept and task ownership of new responsibilities in a fast-growing environment.
• Proficient knowledge of MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook, and the ability to multi-task with moderate supervision.
• Ability to manage in a matrix relationship with both the facility management and corporate leadership.
• Experience in NetSuite a plus.
• Spanish language skills a plus.

Reporting Structure:

This position reports to the Corporate Controller.? As this role has ownership of the two largest facilities in the Company, this position has significant exposure to the leadership of the company and offers a direct line of communication to the CFO and other senior leaders for professional growth and mentorship.