Manufacturing Controller

Manufacturing Controller

Location: Illinois

Industry: Equipment Manufacturing

Environment: Private Equity-Backed

ERP: Infor CSI/SyteLine

Position Overview

A private equity-backed equipment manufacturing company in Illinois is seeking a commercially minded Manufacturing Controller to oversee financial operations and support continued growth following a recent acquisition.

This role requires a strong understanding of manufacturing operations, cost accounting, inventory management, and production financials, alongside hands-on experience with Infor CSI/SyteLine. The Manufacturing Controller will work closely with Operations and senior leadership to improve financial visibility, strengthen cost controls, and drive profitability across the business.

The ideal individual combines strong accounting fundamentals with an operational mindset and experience working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee manufacturing financial operations, including general ledger, month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Manage cost accounting processes, including standard costing, inventory valuation, work-in-process (WIP), labor and overhead allocation, and production variance analysis.
• Utilize Infor CSI/SyteLine to improve costing accuracy, inventory visibility, and manufacturing financial reporting.
• Partner with plant leadership and Operations to analyze production costs, gross margins, material usage, labor efficiency, and overall plant performance.
• Monitor inventory levels, work-in-process, and production variances to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve working capital.
• Develop and maintain KPIs and financial reports that provide leadership with visibility into manufacturing performance.
• Strengthen internal controls, financial processes, and ERP utilization across the organization.
• Support post-acquisition integration, including financial reporting alignment, process standardization, and operational improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, operational efficiency, and financial accountability.

Required Qualifications

• Progressive accounting or finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting, inventory, production costing, and financial controls.
• Hands-on experience with Infor CSI/SyteLine.
• Experience with standard costing, inventory valuation, WIP, and production variance analysis.
• Strong background in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and month-end close.
• Ability to partner effectively with plant management, Operations, and executive leadership.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate financial data into actionable operational insights.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a private equity-backed manufacturing business.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, integration, or post-acquisition financial improvements.
• Background in equipment or industrial manufacturing.
• CPA, CMA, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience improving ERP reporting, costing processes, and financial controls.

Ideal Candidate

A hands-on Manufacturing Controller with strong manufacturing accounting expertise, practical Infor CSI/SyteLine experience, and the ability to connect financial performance with day