Finance Coordinator - Financial Accounting

Financial Controller | PE-Backed Food Manufacturer
Greater Philadelphia | On-Site | PE-Backed | CFO Growth Path
A lower middle market PE firm just acquired a 40-year-old custom seasoning and flavor manufacturer in the greater Philadelphia area (Bucks County). The founding family is retiring out. New ownership is investing to professionalize and grow the business, and the first hire is a Financial Controller to build the finance function from the ground up. You own the books, the reporting, and the financial infrastructure for a 40-person, single-site manufacturer.

For a controller who delivers, the path from Controller to CFO is real and expected as the company grows under PE ownership. If you have been a strong controller or BU finance leader stuck behind someone who is not going anywhere, this is your shot.

Stand up the finance function: close process, reporting cadence, KPIs, cost accounting structure
Drive the financial planning for the company by analyzing its performance and risks
Quarterly covenant compliance reporting (simple term loan, straightforward capital structure)
Annual operating plan and budgets in partnership with department heads
AR, AP, and payroll oversight (one bookkeeper/AP reports to you; outsourced audit and tax firms are in place)
Oversee all audit and internal control operations
Ensure adherence to financial laws and guidelines
Banking, treasury, and insurance relationship management
Federal, state, and local tax coordination with outside counsel
Financial systems ownership: IT: Outsourced to Sage and a local provider.

Contract management, vendor decisions, escalation point. Benefits administration, compliance, partnering with outside resources as needed for policy updates. Interim controller on-site, getting the books in order before you arrive
Outsourced audit and tax work already in place
A PE ownership team with food manufacturing experience that has done this before: they acquired and grew a food manufacturer from a family-owned business to a professionally managed organization before a successful exit
Equity.

Stock option participation. 40-person company, long-tenured workforce, consistent customer base across meat & poultry, soups & sauces, snack foods, dairy, and coffee/beverage segments. S. degree in Accounting, Finance, or similar discipline with at least 10 years of relevant experience
Accounting certification preferred (CPA or CMA), not required
Cost accounting depth in a manufacturing environment, preferably food & beverage. You understand production variances, yields, and inventory at the floor level, not just the GL level.

In-depth knowledge of corporate finance and accounting principles, laws, and best practices
Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, scenario modeling)
This is an on-site role based in Greater Philadelphia area. Local candidates within commuting distance are strongly preferred. No relocation. Annual bonus: 20% of base
Stock option participation
Benefits: medical, dental, vision, PTO
Schedule: Monday - Friday, on-site