About the Company
The Company is a leading, private equity backed world-class specialty materials company that develops synthetic rubbers and chemical solutions for use across transportation, medical, industrial and consumer sectors. To support scale, M&A and long term value creation, we are strengthening our finance leadership team with a focus on analytics, forecasting, and strategic decision support.
About the Role
The Controller will oversee all aspects of accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance for the business. This leader will ensure timely, accurate, and transparent reporting for management, auditors, and private equity sponsors while also building scalable processes to support rapid growth. In addition, the Controller will play a critical role in supporting mergers and acquisitions — from financial due diligence to post-close integration of accounting policies, systems, and reporting.
The role will be central to upgrading systems, leading audits, driving process improvements, and partnering with the CFO, operations, and PE stakeholders to deliver insights and value creation.
This is an onsite role base in Cleveland, OH and relocation is available for the right candidate.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Compliance: Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close process; ensure timely and accurate reporting. Oversee preparation of consolidated financial statements in compliance with GAAP. Manage audits and coordinate with external auditors
Accounting Operations: Lead AP, AR, payroll, fixed assets, inventory accounting, and general ledger. Establish and maintain strong internal controls and policies. Ensure tax compliance and regulatory filings
Systems & Process Improvement: Upgrade and optimize accounting systems (ERP) and reporting tools Drive automation and standardization across sites. Implement best practices for cash management, working capital, and controls
Leadership & Collaboration: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing accounting team. Partner with CFO, FP&A, and business leaders. Act as finance liaison with private equity sponsors and board
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A): Support financial due diligence, quality of earnings, and integration activities for acquisitions. Assess target company accounting policies, systems, and controls. Lead integration of financial reporting and accounting processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance across the enterprise. Partner with deal teams and operations to identify risks, synergies, and post-acquisition opportunities for efficiency and scalability
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA required, MBA a plus
10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 5 in a Controller or Assistant Controller role
Strong technical GAAP knowledge and audit background
Experience in multi-site manufacturing or industrial businesses with inventory and fixed assets
ERP systems experience (SAP, or similar)
Proven success building accounting teams and scalable processes in high-growth environments
Personal Attributes
Detail-oriented, highly organized
Hands-on operator with ability to think strategically
Strong communicator, able to interact with executives, auditors, and PE sponsors
Comfortable in a fast-paced, PE-backed growth environment
Additional Information
This is an opportunity to shape the finance foundation of a high-growth, PE-backed business. The Controller will ensure compliance, accuracy, and scalability while directly contributing to value creation and investor confidence. In order to attract an outstanding candidate to this critical position, our client is prepared to provide an attractive base salary and a variable performance driven incentive compensation plan, including participation in attractive equity plan backed by a very strong investment thesis, and both short-term and long-term components.