Financial Controller

Company overview

Valley Milk, LLC operates a state-of-the-art milk ingredient processing facility in Turlock, CA, designed to process 2.5 million pounds of raw milk per day. Our mission is to be a world-class dairy ingredient processor and marketer of premium dairy ingredients with an emphasis on quality, food safety, and sustainability.

Position summary

The Controller leads Valley Milk's accounting function and owns the accuracy of its financial records. This is a working Controller role in a fast-paced, growing business. You will lead the team day to day while personally completing core accounting work, including journal entries, balance sheet and bank reconciliations, and cash posting.

We need someone who will question how the work gets done, not just complete it. You will automate and streamline processes, shorten the month-end close, and build an accounting function that can scale as the business evolves.

The Controller partners closely with the Director of FP&A. The Controller owns the actuals and the integrity of the books, while FP&A leads budgeting, forecasting, and business analysis.

Key responsibilities

• Accounting operations and month-end close
• Direct the design and maintenance of the accrual accounting system, including the chart of accounts, general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll, in accordance with GAAP.
• Manage all aspects of accounting, including billing, financial statements, general ledger, cost accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, tax compliance, and revenue recognition.
• Lead the monthly and annual close, including the cooperative close, and shorten the close calendar over time.
• Prepare and post journal entries and accruals.
• Complete and own balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare accurate monthly and annual GAAP financial statements.
• Lock the actuals each month and confirm that the management reporting package ties to the closed financials.
• Review and approve sales invoices.
• Cash, treasury, and debt
• Post cash and complete bank reconciliations.
• Manage day-to-day cash and treasury activity.
• Account for debt, including interest, payments, and related balance sheet activity.
• Provide accurate actuals and support for lender reporting.
• Cost and inventory accounting
• Own inventory valuation and cost of goods sold, including month-end inventory reviews.
• Maintain and improve standard costs for raw milk, ingredients, packaging, labor, and overhead.
• Maintain a documented method for allocating costs across products.
• Analyze production, purchase price, usage, and yield variances, and resolve their root causes.
• Review milk and cream reconciliations.
• Assess inventory carrying values against market conditions.
• Process improvement and automation
• Find and eliminate manual work, rework, and bottlenecks across accounting.
• Automate and streamline processes using Sage, Excel, and other available tools.
• Improve upstream data with operations, procurement, sales, and FP&A so transactions are right the first time.
• Document procedures and critical knowledge so the function can scale.
• Compliance and internal controls
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and federal and state regulations.
• Implement and maintain internal controls that safeguard company assets.
• Coordinate and lead internal and external audits, including documentation and corrective actions.
• Leadership and team development
• Lead, coach, and develop accounting staff with clear expectations and accountability.
• Direct leadership includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, milk accounting personnel.
• Build a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
• Explain the accounting results clearly to the CFO and business leaders.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required. CPA or CMA preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years as a controller or senior accounting manager, ideally in manufacturing. Dairy or food and beverage experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading a month-end close and supervising accounting staff.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, cost accounting, and inventory accounting.
• Hands-on experience with journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• A record of improving processes, shortening the close, or automating manual work.
• Advanced Excel and ERP proficiency. Sage X3 preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Working conditions
• This role is primarily office-based within the manufacturing facility. You must follow all food safety, GMP, and safety protocols while on the plant floor.