Business Unit Controller | Aerospace Manufacturing
Our client, a leading global designer and manufacturer of mission-critical components for the Aerospace and Defense industry, is seeking a high-caliber Business Unit (BU) Controller. This is a strategic leadership role acting as the primary financial partner to the BU General Manager for a multi-site, international operation.
As the BU Controller, you will lead all financial reporting, operational analysis, and compliance initiatives while driving process improvements to maximize profitability and working capital efficiency.
Core Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Strategic Analysis
- Direct the preparation and presentation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, providing clear variance analysis to explain business performance.
- Deliver detailed financial analysis regarding products and customers, offering actionable recommendations to improve operating results.
- Evaluate New Product Development (NPD) projects and pricing strategies to ensure viable business cases and maximized ROI.
- Perform financial due diligence for potential acquisition targets, including the development of complex models and forecasts.
Operational Partnership & Working Capital
- Partner with Operations to track and report on key KPIs, including productivity, VAVE (Value Analysis/Value Engineering), and operational cost savings.
- Lead aggressive initiatives to optimize Working Capital, specifically focusing on Inventory, AR/AP, and Unbilled Revenue.
- Oversee inventory valuation accuracy, including Bill of Materials (BOM), standard costs, and overhead rates.
Reporting, Budgeting & Compliance
- Manage the full month-end close process, ensuring accuracy and strict adherence to corporate accounting guidelines.
- Coordinate multi-functional teams to produce annual budgets and monthly forecasts for orders, sales, and profit.
- Ensure a robust internal control environment and maintain full compliance with SOX requirements and US GAAP (including ASC 606).
- Coordinate all internal and external audit activities.
Team Development
- Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance and accounting staff.
Qualifications & Experience
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required. A CPA or MBA is highly preferred.
- Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Industry: Preference for candidates coming from a multi-site manufacturing environment. Exposure to Department of Defense (DOD) or government contracting is a significant plus.
- Leadership: 5–7 years of direct management and leadership experience.
- Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in MS Excel (pivot tables/modeling) and PowerPoint. Experience with ERP systems (Oracle), financial consolidation tools (HFM), and data analytics (Power BI) is required.
- Soft Skills: Proven ability to present financial data confidently to Executive and Senior Leadership teams.
- Travel: Ability to travel up to 15% for site visits and operational reviews
