Controller – US Modules (Solar Manufacturing)
Position Summary
The Controller will oversee all financial operations for CIG’s U.S. solar module manufacturing business, ensuring rigorous financial reporting, accurate cost accounting, and financial discipline across the plant. This role is critical to scaling a multi-facility manufacturing plaƞorm and will partner closely with plant leadership, supply chain, and corporate finance to drive accountability, operational excellence, and alignment with company-wide policies. The Controller will also play a key role in ERP implementation and ongoing optimization.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Analysis
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP and internal company policies.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting of P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and key plant performance metrics.
- Analyze financial and operational performance; provide actionable insights to senior management to optimize profitability.
- Oversee preparation and presentation of financial reporting for executive leadership and the Board.
- Ensure financial documentation, disclosures, and audit trails meet corporate governance and policy requirements.
Manufacturing Cost Accounting
- Oversee accounting for manufacturing costs-including direct labor, overhead absorption, and raw materials-ensuring consistency with corporate standards.
- Build and then oversee the processes around inventory cycle counts, BOM accuracy, and standard cost updates.
- Partner with procurement, operations, and production to ensure accurate cost allocation, inventory valuation, and compliance with company policies.
- Develop and maintain detailed cost models; track production variances; recommend process and cost-efficiency improvements.
- Support job costing and project-based financial reporting aligned with plant and corporate objectives.
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead plant-level budgeting and standard cost-setting processes.
- Produce rolling financial forecasts for P&L, working capital, and cash requirements.
- Support capital budgeting, ROI analyses, cost-saving initiatives, and financial reviews for expansions.
- Ensure budgeting and forecasting methodologies are consistent with CIG’s corporate finance framework and policies.
Internal Controls & Compliance
- Implement and maintain strong internal controls over AP, AR, inventory, fixed assets, and general accounting.
- Ensure compliance with internal policies, GAAP, and applicable manufacturing, financial, and solar industry regulations.
- Oversee audit processes, internal reviews, tax reporting coordination, and corporate governance standards.
ERP Implementation & Systems
- Lead the finance workstream for the implementation and rollout of a new manufacturing ERP system.
- Define accounting and reporting requirements; support data migration; test modules; train accounting and operations staff.
- Drive continuous system improvement and ensure ERP usage aligns with company-wide standards.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Support the development and mentoring of accounting staff; build a scalable, disciplined accounting and finance function.
- Collaborate with plant operations, engineering, supply chain, procurement, and corporate finance to ensure aligned reporting and decision-making.
- Design scalable accounting processes capable of supporting additional plants as CIG expands its U.S. manufacturing footprint.
- Partner on strategic initiatives, cost-reduction efforts, and operational excellence programs.
Solar Industry & Regulatory Knowledge
- Understand solar manufacturing dynamics, supply chain considerations, regulatory frameworks, and sector-specific accounting issues.
- Support the accurate tracking and financial modeling of renewable energy incentives and tax credit eligibility.
- Stay informed on industry policy changes impacting manufacturing cost structures and financial reporting.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- CPA or CMA required.
- MBA preferred.
Experience
- 10+ years of accounting/finance experience, including at least 3 years in a manufacturing environment.
- Proven experience in financial reporting, cost accounting, standard costing, and budgeting in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
- Experience within solar, semiconductor, electronics, or other high-volume manufacturing environment preferred.
- Experience with financial software and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics).
Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, cost accounting standards, and compliance frameworks.
- Familiarity with government incentives, tax credits (e.g., ITC, PTC), and other renewable energy financial structures preferred.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
- Ability to perform in a dynamic, scaling manufacturing environment with evolving priorities.
- Advanced Excel proficiency and financial modeling skills.
- Demonstrated leadership with a track record of developing and managing accounting teams.
We offer a competitive salary, robust benefits, paid time off and growth opportunities.