Agribusiness Controller Job Description

Summary

The Controller will report directly to the General Manager, overseeing all accounting and finance functions for the cooperative with a focus on ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance, and strategic support for agribusiness operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Controller will perform the following duties and additional projects or duties as assigned:

Accounting/Finance

• Demonstrate expertise in grain and commodity trade accounting, including mark-to-market, inventory valuation, billing, and receivables.
• Apply component cost accounting principles to the feed manufacturing unit.
• Oversee all day-to-day accounting operations, including grain accounting, accounts receivable (A/R), accounts payable (A/P), inventory, and payroll processing.
• Direct the preparation and issuance of timely, accurate monthly, year-end, and other financial statements, ensuring efficient closes.
• Reconcile margin projections by revenue managers to actual P&L results, providing feedback on variances to improve forecasting accuracy.
• Compile mid-month and end-of-month gross margin and consolidated financial projections, including routine gross margin analysis for the feed-mill group.
• Ensure monthly reconciliation of balance sheet accounts with supporting documentation.
• Coordinate and manage the annual budgeting process, including forecasts and projections.
• Provide routine contract and pricing audit reports for leadership review.
• Manage capital expenditure accounting, including project cost projections, setting depreciation rates, monitoring construction in progress, and reviewing the asset schedule for accuracy.
• Maintain a documented system of accounting policies and procedures.
• Oversee financial systems and ERP software to ensure data integrity and operational efficiency.
• Monitor cash flow, liquidity, and financial risks, including commodity price fluctuations and hedging strategies.
• Monitor debt levels, ensure timely debt payments, and maintain compliance with debt covenants.
• Provide financial analyses for capital investments, pricing decisions, and contract negotiations.
• Coordinate the preparation of the corporate annual report.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings.

Leadership

• Lead the accounting and administrative team by directing daily responsibilities, conducting staff meetings, supervising staff, and adhering to HR policies.
• Develop and implement training programs for accounting staff on industry-specific practices and compliance requirements.
• Present financial and analytical reports to the division’s leadership group and periodic presentations to corporate leadership.
• Act as a safety leader by enforcing safety policies and directing staff to maintain a safe working environment.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to administrative and accounting processes for greater efficiency.

Compliance

• Implement and maintain proper internal control procedures for all business activities.
• Assist with the annual audit as directed by the corporate office.
• Ensure compliance with external agencies, including state tax departments, local property taxing agencies, grain licenses, and motor vehicle departments.
• Oversee coordination and compliance with UCC/EFS liens on first-handled grain purchased from farmers.
• Coordinate reporting on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics, including sustainability initiatives relevant to agribusiness.

Special Projects

• Assist the General Manager and Board of Directors with ad hoc reporting, projections, and business analysis as needed.
• Support business modeling for potential revenue opportunities and crisis management scenarios, such as supply disruptions or market downturns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or a related business field.
• Minimum of 5 years of financial leadership and management experience.
• Grain and feed industry knowledge or experience with mark-to-market accounting strongly desired.
• CPA certification preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills with management, team members, and support staff.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Outlook.
• Strong ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

 *Candidates must be eligible to work in the US as well as meet the qualifications listed above in order to be considered for the Plant Manager job.