Assistant Controller

We are looking for an Assistant Controller to support the financial leadership of our rubber manufacturing operation in Brea, California. This role oversees core accounting activities, strengthens financial controls, and delivers timely insights that help leaders manage plant performance and profitability. The ideal candidate brings strong manufacturing accounting experience, a hands-on approach to month-end close and cost analysis, and the ability to guide a team while partnering effectively across operations and business functions.

Responsibilities:
• Direct the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and consolidated reporting are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Produce and review management reports, corporate financial submissions, and variance analyses, translating key trends into clear business explanations for leadership.
• Establish and maintain a strong internal control framework within a public-company environment, supporting audit readiness, segregation of duties, and timely correction of control gaps.
• Manage standard costing activities, including cost structure maintenance, annual cost updates, and the accuracy of SKU and bill-of-material costing data.
• Oversee inventory accounting by validating physical counts, monitoring reserve balances, and reconciling inventory records to the general ledger.
• Investigate purchase price, labor, manufacturing, overhead, and margin variances, then work with stakeholders to turn findings into practical improvement plans.
• Partner closely with operations and business unit leaders to identify cost drivers, improve productivity, and support informed financial decision-making.
• Lead efforts to streamline reporting and reduce manual work through process improvement, automation, and the thoughtful use of new technologies, including AI tools.
• Supervise and develop finance team members by setting performance expectations, coaching for growth, and building coverage that supports a scalable finance function.
• Evaluate capital spending proposals through financial analysis and post-implementation review to confirm expected savings, productivity gains, and business value are achieved.• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of accounting, cost accounting, and financial analysis experience in a manufacturing environment using a standard costing system.
• Demonstrated ownership of the full close cycle and strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and general ledger accounting.
• Experience working within a controlled or regulated environment and building, documenting, and managing internal controls.
• Prior supervisory experience with the ability to lead, coach, and develop accounting or finance staff.
• Advanced Excel skills for modeling, analysis, and financial reporting; proficiency with Microsoft Office is required.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional and matrixed teams.
• Experience with financial reporting, audits, manufacturing cost accounting, and ERP systems such as SyteLine is preferred; familiarity with government contracting requirements is a plus.