LHH Recruitment Solutions
Position Summary
The Controller is a key financial leader responsible for managing the financial performance of a value-added celery processing facility in
Ventura, CA
. This position ensures accurate financial reporting, provides operational insight, and partners with plant leadership to drive efficiency and profitability. The role also plays a lead role in preparing capital expenditure requests and supporting long-term automation and infrastructure planning.
Key Responsibilities Lead the monthly close process for the Ventura facility, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial results.
Develop and maintain standard cost systems; monitor cost variances and KPIs, provide actionable insight to operations leaders.
Analyze plant-level performance and identify cost improvement and margin enhancement opportunities.
Serve as a financial business partner to Operations and Engineering, supporting daily decision-making and strategic initiatives.
Prepare capital expenditure requests (CERs) and support business case development for major investments, including automation and equipment upgrades.
Ensure compliance with corporate accounting policies, internal controls, and audit requirements.
Oversee inventory valuation, physical counts, and reconciliations.
Manage fixed asset accounting in accordance with company policy.
Drive budgeting and forecasting for value-added operations, including volume, labor, overhead, and other costs.
Supervise and mentor plant-based accounting staff; coordinate with the corporate finance team.
Support financial modeling for new customer or product opportunities in value-added.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve financial systems and reporting tools.
Ensure all financial transactions are recorded accurately before month-end/year-end close and prepare monthly financial and analysis reports.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA or MBA preferred.
Minimum 8 years of progressive cost accounting or plant controller experience, preferably in food, agriculture, or consumer packaged goods.
Deep understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, and operational finance.
Proven ability to develop and present capital requests and financial justifications.
Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) or other modern ERP systems.
Advanced Excel proficiency and familiarity with Power BI or other analytics tools a plus.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence across levels.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
Benefits
Medical, Dental, Vision
401k
FSA, Short-Term & Long-Term Life
Travel Requirement Periodic travel is required.
Pay Details:
$140,000.00 to $175,000.00 per year
Search managed by:
Justin Shaheri
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www-uat.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:
The California Fair Chance Act Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Massachusetts Candidates Only:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Ventura, CA
. This position ensures accurate financial reporting, provides operational insight, and partners with plant leadership to drive efficiency and profitability. The role also plays a lead role in preparing capital expenditure requests and supporting long-term automation and infrastructure planning.
Key Responsibilities Lead the monthly close process for the Ventura facility, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial results.
Develop and maintain standard cost systems; monitor cost variances and KPIs, provide actionable insight to operations leaders.
Analyze plant-level performance and identify cost improvement and margin enhancement opportunities.
Serve as a financial business partner to Operations and Engineering, supporting daily decision-making and strategic initiatives.
Prepare capital expenditure requests (CERs) and support business case development for major investments, including automation and equipment upgrades.
Ensure compliance with corporate accounting policies, internal controls, and audit requirements.
Oversee inventory valuation, physical counts, and reconciliations.
Manage fixed asset accounting in accordance with company policy.
Drive budgeting and forecasting for value-added operations, including volume, labor, overhead, and other costs.
Supervise and mentor plant-based accounting staff; coordinate with the corporate finance team.
Support financial modeling for new customer or product opportunities in value-added.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve financial systems and reporting tools.
Ensure all financial transactions are recorded accurately before month-end/year-end close and prepare monthly financial and analysis reports.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA or MBA preferred.
Minimum 8 years of progressive cost accounting or plant controller experience, preferably in food, agriculture, or consumer packaged goods.
Deep understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, and operational finance.
Proven ability to develop and present capital requests and financial justifications.
Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) or other modern ERP systems.
Advanced Excel proficiency and familiarity with Power BI or other analytics tools a plus.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence across levels.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
Benefits
Medical, Dental, Vision
401k
FSA, Short-Term & Long-Term Life
Travel Requirement Periodic travel is required.
Pay Details:
$140,000.00 to $175,000.00 per year
Search managed by:
Justin Shaheri
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www-uat.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:
The California Fair Chance Act Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Massachusetts Candidates Only:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.