Controller

Position Summary :

The Controller will have the responsibility for overseeing four key components of the business : financial reporting and analysis; budgeting; treasury; and the relationship with our auditors. This position collaborates with the General Manager and Office Manager to refine accounting policies and procedures and manage the financial health of the Westby Cooperative Creamery.

Responsibilities :

1. Maintains all banking and lending / credit accounts.

2. Administers various contracts of land leases, building, finishing, etc.

3. Prepares month end, quarter end and annual closing of books and reports to aid General Manager and others in their decision making and knowledge of the cooperative’s financial status.

4. Prepares forecasts for budgeting, lending needs, and short / long-term planning.

5. Prepares year-end review documents for external accountant.

6. Prepares monthly reports for Board of Directors and reviews reports and makes recommendations to Board of Directors while participating in monthly Board of Director meetings.

7. Oversees and interprets ongoing analysis of inventory, costs associated with production, margin analysis and tracing costs back to underlying activities and drivers.

8. Oversees the management of asset listing and associated depreciation.

9. Maintains standard costs and reviews standard and actual costs for inaccuracies including variance analysis and treatment of variances in accordance with GAAP.

10. Oversees grant application process, including research, applying for qualifying grants and follow-up.

11. Recommends areas of opportunity to drive cost savings.

12. Performs production walk through and works closely with Plant Manager to understand manufacturing processes, variances, reporting errors and interpretation of cost build ups to lead analysis, understand variances, identify opportunities for cost savings and develop and adjust standard costing to ensure profit.

13. Serves as point of contact for all company accounting and / or ERP system programming and scripting.

14. Ensures compliance with all tax and government agencies.

15. Interacts frequently with vendors, accountant, lenders, insurance agents, third-party administrators, and business / financial consultants.

16. Direct reporting to General Manager, external financial consultant, external business consultant, lender, and external accountant on monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

17. Manages direct reports by supervising, directing, training and coaching to ensure employee and department performance meets or exceeds expectations; prepares and conducts performance appraisals and corrective actions; assists in recruitment and onboarding of direct reports; determines work schedules, including approval of requests for time off and approval of time sheets.

18. Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Business administration with focus in Accounting and 5 or more years of experience in Accounting; or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

2. Solid knowledge of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and regulations, cost accounting, budgeting and financial reporting is required.

3. Ability to demonstrate solid business judgment through advanced critical thinking, analytical, analysis and extensive problem-solving and decision-making skills to understand and interpret production costs, margins, process costs and variances is required.

4. Advanced computer and database management skills; Proficient in MS Office Suite with advanced MS Excel capabilities, i.e., PivotTables and VLOOKUPs is required. Great Plains / DSI and ERP management system experience preferred.

5. Understanding of data analysis and forecasting is required.

6. Attention to detail and problem-solving ability is required.

7. Must be goal-driven and self-motivated.

8. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with co-workers and critical business contacts is required.

Physical Requirements :

1. Ability to meet the physical demands of the position per work screen protocol is required.

As a farmer-owned cooperative since 1903, Westby Cooperative Creamery has a unique perspective on the dairy industry - from farm to fridge. Our team takes great pride in crafting cultured dairy products that make it to our customer's table and nourishes their family. We're Safe Quality Food Level 3 certified, which means we're part of a globally recognized program that delivers high-quality food safely.

Our Vision is to be the best cultured dairy foods manufacturer and milk-marketing cooperative in the country.

We provide a safe, healthy, team oriented work environment with continued learning opportunities which provide personal growth and satisfaction that benefits employees and their families.

We invite you to take the next step to learn how you can be a part of our team!