Controller

About Us
A.J. Manufacturing, Inc. is an established manufacturer a track record of growth. A. J. operates from three plants, closely located in Bloomer, WI and about 190 employees. We’re a company where leaders have real influence, decisions are made quickly, and people know each other by name. We’re looking for a hands-on Controller to join our leadership team and help shape our financial future.

Why Bloomer?
Bloomer offers the best of small-town Wisconsin living with big-city access close by. Located in Chippewa County right off Highway 53, it’s an easy commute from Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire, so you get shopping, dining, and a regional airport without the traffic and cost of a metro area.

Bloomer is known as the “Jump Rope Capital of the World,” home to a historic speed jump-rope competition that’s been a local tradition for decades. It’s that kind of town: friendly, proud of its roots, and full of community events like the free Bloomer Community Fair and parade, Oktoberfest, and downtown festivals. With every store front occupied, clean and well maintained parks, streets, and venues, this town is alive with great food, fun, and engagement opportunities.

Outdoor lovers will feel right at home at the southern edge of the Blue Hills. Enjoy an 18-hole golf course, an aquatic center, trails, and easy access to the lakes, rivers, and woods of the Chippewa Valley for fishing, hunting, biking, and snowmobiling. With affordable housing, strong schools, and a low cost of living, Bloomer is a great place to put down roots and build a career.

The Role:

The Controller serves as a key member of the leadership team and a trusted business partner across the organization. This role provides both strategic financial leadership and hands-on oversight of all accounting and finance operations. The Controller will be responsible for driving financial performance, strengthening business processes, providing actionable insights to support decision making, and ensuring the organization’s financial health and long-term sustainability. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader who can translate financial data into business strategy while maintaining a strong operational presence throughout the Company.

This position reports directly to the Company President and will be based onsite at A.J. Manufacturing’s headquarters in Bloomer, WI.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

· Prepare and review accurate, timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP; own the month-end/year-end close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, variance analysis, and maintaining the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts.

· Prepare and present financial reporting to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis or as otherwise is requested. Ownership and deep understanding of the reporting and ability to provide insight into trends or changes is necessary.

· Directly supervise, train, and mentor the Accounts Payable Clerk, Accounts Receivable Clerk, and Accountant; review AP/AR processes and aging, resolve escalations, and ensure strong vendor and customer account management.

· Oversee standard costing, inventory valuation, and product costing in a manufacturing environment; partner with operations to ensure costing accuracy and identify cost control opportunities to support profitability.

· Design, implement, and maintain internal controls and accounting policies to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance; recommend and help implement process improvements across accounting and adjacent operational areas.

· Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, tax preparers, and banking partners; prepare supporting schedules and documentation; ensure compliance with sales/use tax, property tax, and other applicable regulatory filings.

· Manage the annual renewal process for property, casualty, liability, and workers' compensation insurance, including gathering underwriting data, reviewing coverage/quotes with the broker, and recommending coverage levels; support broader risk management efforts, including credit and operational risk considerations.

· Oversee daily cash position, bank reconciliations, and banking relationships.

· Serve as the finance lead for ERP system administration; support or lead ERP selection and implementation projects.

· Work collaboratively with Human Resource Manager and President to ensure alignment with overall business operations and policy continuity.

· Partner with the President to build the annual budget and periodic forecasts and provide KPI reporting and financial analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making.

· Directly supervise BOM/ Inventory Supervisor leading a team receiving, counting, and reporting variances and opportunities to improve costing, utilization, and Bills of Material accuracy.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.

· Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory experience required.

· Strong hands-on technical accounting skills, including GAAP, month-end close, and account reconciliation.

· Working knowledge of ERP systems required; experience with ERP selection and implementation strongly preferred.

· Proven ability to lead, train, and develop accounting staff.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.

· Strong communicator with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.

· CPA preferred.

· Experience with LEAN accounting, cost accounting, inventory valuation, product costing and manufacturing principles preferred.

· Experience with ERP selection and implementation strongly preferred.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Dynamics. Paycom or familiar with an HRIS

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person