Operations Controller

Position Description

The Operations Controller is a senior member of the management team, reporting to the Director of Finance. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Operations Controller to join our team. The Operations Controller will play a key role in overseeing the accounting and financial reporting functions of our Manufacturing, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), Aftermarket and Programs business units. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting and finance and extensive experience in the manufacturing industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting and financial operations of the manufacturing, MRO, Programs and Aftermarket business units, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Manage the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures specific to manufacturing operations, optimizing processes for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Oversee cost accounting activities, including standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation, to support accurate product costing and pricing decisions.
• Collaborate closely with the manufacturing team to analyze production costs, identify cost-saving opportunities, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage the rotable pool, overseeing the tracking, maintenance, and replenishment of rotable components to support manufacturing and MRO operations.
• Develop and implement inventory management strategies for the rotable pool, optimizing inventory levels to minimize costs while ensuring availability and reliability.
• Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for all the divisions, providing insightful analysis and commentary on key performance metrics.
• Lead the implementation of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems for manufacturing operations, working closely with IT and external consultants to ensure successful deployment and integration with existing systems.
• Serve as the key liaison between finance and manufacturing departments during ERP implementation, facilitating communication, training, and change management efforts.
• Develop and maintain strong internal controls within the ERP system to safeguard financial data and ensure data integrity across manufacturing processes.
• Provide ongoing support and training to end-users of the ERP system, troubleshooting issues, and optimizing system usage to meet business needs.
• Key point of contact for audits for all operations. Collaborate with internal and external auditors to facilitate audits and address any findings or recommendations.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and technologies in manufacturing and ERP systems, proactively identifying opportunities for innovation and process optimization.
• Support ad-hoc financial analysis and special projects as needed to drive business objectives and strategic initiatives.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the finance and manufacturing teams, promoting knowledge sharing and skill development.

Education

• Post-secondary education in accounting or finance, along with relevant work experience. CPA designation is required.
• Minimum 8 years experience in accounting/finance in a controller or senior manager role with consolidation experience involving multi-currency reporting.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience managing, coaching, and mentoring a team of finance/accounting professionals.
• Previous experience working in a manufacturing environment is considered an asset.
• Previous experience implementing an ERP system is considered an asset.
• Extensive knowledge of accounting and financial management principles and procedures is required.

Skills 

• Must possess a high level of moral judgment for handling confidential information and monetary transactions.
• Proven leadership abilities with the capacity to motivate and develop a high-performing team.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong business intelligence/data analytics skills. Experience creating automated reports and dashboards.
• Advanced knowledge/experience using Microsoft Excel, Access, Power BI, and Power Query.
• Previous experience working with multiple legal entities is a preference.
• Previous experience with ERP software (Visual, IFS is an asset) and the ability to learn new and different ERP software.
• Strong knowledge of auditing, accounting, and corporate finance principles.
• Demonstrated the ability to build strong internal and external business relationships.
• Solution-oriented, customer service-focused, and positive “can-do” team attitude.
• Strong grasp of internal controls and finance procedures and practices.
• Clearly understands how to assess the importance of tasks and decisions and set priorities, focusing time and energy on the most important issues and opportunities.
• Effective attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills are required, along with the demonstrated ability to handle confidential information in a professional manner.