Controller

The Plant Controller serves as the financial leader and strategic business partner for the Chilliwack Premix Plant. This role is responsible for leading all aspects of finance, controlling, cost accounting, financial planning & analysis, inventory management, capital investment oversight, internal controls, and performance reporting. As a key member of the Plant Leadership Team, the Controller provides financial leadership to support operational excellence, productivity, profitability, working capital optimization, and strategic growth. The position acts as the critical link between plant operations and Corporate Finance, ensuring compliance with company policies, financial governance standards, and reporting requirements. Given the strategic importance of the Chilliwack facility and its continued growth, the role requires strong manufacturing finance expertise, deep knowledge of standard costing and inventory accounting, and experience supporting complex operational environments. The Controller would need to be autonomous, curious, self-driven and proactive.

STRATEGIC FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNER

Serve as the primary financial advisor to the Plant Manager and Plant Leadership Team.

Participate in strategic and operational decision-making processes.

Provide financial insights and recommendations to improve plant profitability and operational performance.

Challenge assumptions and support informed business decisions through robust financial analysis.

Translate plant operational performance into actionable financial reporting and recommendations.

Support long-term strategic planning and investment decisions.

MANUFACTURING COST ACCOUNTING & COST CONTROL

Own and manage all plant cost accounting processes.

Review accurate standard costing models across raw materials, finished goods, labor, and overheads.

Analyze material usage and production variances.

Analyze yield performance; labor utilization; cost reduction opportunities.

Review and maintain Bills of Material (BOMs), routings, recipes, and costing structures.

Ensure accurate product costing and margin reporting.

Partner with Operations to identify and implement manufacturing cost improvements.

FINANCIAL PLANNING AND ANALYSIS (FP&A)

Lead the preparation of annual budget, strategic business plans and latest estimates.

Develop scenario analyses and financial models.

Identify financial risks and opportunities.

Monitor and communicate plant performance against budget, forecast, and prior year results.

Lead monthly performance review processes with plant and corporate leadership.

MONTH END AND YEAR END

Lead plant financial close activities.

Ensure completeness and accuracy of plant financial results.

Prepare monthly management reports and variance analysis.

Reconcile production, inventory, and financial results.

Prepare all the relevant MEC accruals with their justification

Coordinate audit support and external reporting requirements.

Ensure compliance with IFRS, corporate accounting policies, and internal controls.

INVENTORY & WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Work with Supply Chain team on inventory valuation and inventory accounting processes.

Ensure inventory transactions are properly recorded and reconciled.

Oversee cycle counting programs; inventory adjustments and inventory write-offs.

Analyze slow-moving and excess inventories.

Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to improve inventory turns and working capital performance.

Maintain strong controls around raw material and finished premix inventories.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (CAPEX) & PROJECT CONTROLLING

Provide financial leadership for capital projects and plant investments.

Develop business cases and ROI analyses.

Monitor capital project spending and forecast project costs.

Support project approval processes (purchase orders and invoices).

Ensure proper capitalization of fixed assets.

Support construction-in-progress (CIP) accounting.

Support facility expansion, commissioning, and startup projects.

GREENFIELD START UP & EXPANSION SUPPORT

Provide financial leadership during facility startup, ramp-up, and expansion activities.

Support ERP implementation and process design.

Maintain reporting structures, cost centers, standard costing, and internal controls.

Support commissioning, asset capitalization, and operational readiness activities.

Develop financial processes and governance standards for a growing manufacturing operation.

REPORTING ANALYTICS & BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

Develop and maintain financial and operational dashboards.

Provide KPI reporting to plant leaders and HQ.

Utilize SAP, Power Query, SAP BI Excel, and reporting tools to deliver actionable insights.

Drive reporting automation and data accuracy initiatives.

Present financial performance and trends to senior leadership.

GOVERNANCE, RISK & COMPLIANCE

Ensure compliance with all company financial policies and procedures.

Maintain a strong internal control environment.

Support internal and external audits.

Ensure financial reporting integrity and transparency.

Oversee compliance related to inventory, procurement, capital spending, and manufacturing transactions.

Partner with HQ Finance to maintain alignment with corporate governance standards.

Requirements

CPA designation (Canada) in good standing.; Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance/commerce/business administration, MBA would be an asset.; Minimum 7 years of progressive finance experience, with 5 years of manufacturing finance and cost accounting experience.; Prior experience within food manufacturing, ingredients manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing or regulated manufacturing environments.; Proven experience in standard costing/inventory accounting/manufacturing variance analysis/financial planning & analysis/budgeting and forecasting/internal controls/financial reporting.; Experience supporting operational leadership teams.; Strong financial modeling capabilities with advanced excel skills.; Experience with ERP systems (SAP preferred).; Strong understanding of Canadian accounting standards and internal control frameworks.; Experience developing business intelligence and KPI reporting.; Experience in greenfield manufacturing startup environments is an asset.; Experience supporting facility construction/commissioning/manufacturing startup/asset capitalization would be an asset.; SAP S/4HANA implementation experience and SAP FI/CO certification would be an asset.; Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification would be an asset.