Director of Finance & Controller

Job summary

Lead and develop the accounting and finance function, strengthening financial processes, controls, reporting, forecasting, cash management, and ERP data integrity. Improve costing, inventory and profitability analysis, support financing and growth planning, and build a finance team and infrastructure capable of supporting expansion.

Job details

Controller & Director of Finance – Path to VP Finance Progressive Industrial Fluids Ltd. London, Ontario | On-Site | Full-Time, Permanent Compensation: $130,000–$140,000+ base, depending on experience, plus performance-based incentive Lead Finance Today. Grow Into VP Finance. Progressive Industrial Fluids is looking for an exceptional Controller & Director of Finance to take immediate leadership of our accounting and finance department and help build the financial infrastructure required for our next stage of growth. This is more than a traditional Controller role. We need someone who can lead the department today: strengthen accounting processes and controls, improve reporting, develop the team and provide leadership with reliable financial information for better decision-making. For the right person, this role also offers a clear opportunity to progress into VP Finance. A candidate who demonstrates strong leadership, delivers meaningful improvements, aligns with our organization and proves capable of operating at an executive level will have the opportunity to advance into the VP Finance role and earn a seat on our Executive Leadership Team. About Progressive Industrial Fluids Progressive Industrial Fluids is a Canadian-owned manufacturer of specialty lubricants, metalworking fluids, stamping compounds and industrial chemical solutions. For nearly two decades, we have helped manufacturers improve processes, lower total operating costs and solve challenging production problems. We have invested significantly in the foundation for our next stage of growth, including: Modern ERP infrastructure through Odoo Expanded manufacturing capabilities In-house laboratory and technical services Improved processes, workflows, costing and operational data An established industrial customer base A strategy to expand our Canadian business and enter key U.S. manufacturing markets We now need a finance leader who can strengthen the department we have today while helping design the financial organization we will need tomorrow. Your Initial Mandate You will become the senior internal leader of our accounting and finance function and work directly with ownership and senior leadership. Your immediate priorities will include: Leading and developing the accounting and finance team Strengthening month-end and year-end processes Improving financial reporting and management visibility Establishing stronger controls and accountability Improving budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow management Strengthening product costing, inventory and margin analysis Improving ERP data integrity and financial processes Clarifying roles and responsibilities within the department Identifying financial risks, weaknesses and opportunities Creating a practical roadmap for the finance function We want someone who can quickly understand where we are, determine what needs improvement and turn that assessment into action. Path to VP Finance We are deliberately creating this role with room to grow. You do not need to already hold a VP title. You may currently be a: Director of Finance Senior or Corporate Controller Plant Controller Divisional Finance Leader Experienced Finance Manager ready for a larger mandate Your current title matters less than what you have accomplished and what you are capable of building. To progress toward VP Finance, you will need to demonstrate the ability to: Lead the finance department effectively Build trust with ownership and senior leadership Develop people and create accountability Identify risks before they become problems Turn financial information into business decisions Improve systems without creating unnecessary bureaucracy Understand both the financial and operational sides of the business Help prepare Progressive financially for significant growth Financial & Operational Leadership As the role develops, your responsibility will extend well beyond accounting. You will help us answer questions such as: How much capital will our growth require? How should we finance inventory and working capital as we scale? Which customers, products and markets generate the strongest returns? Where are we deploying capital effectively? What systems and controls will we need at twice our current size? How do we pursue aggressive growth without losing financial discipline? Key areas of responsibility will include: Cash-flow forecasting and working-capital management Inventory investment and cash-conversion analysis Accounts receivable and accounts payable strategy Banking, lender reporting and financing requirements Capital expenditure analysis Budgeting, rolling forecasts and financial modelling Raw-material, labour and manufacturing overhead analysis Product costing and gross-margin performance Customer and product-line profitability KPI development and management reporting Growth scenarios and capital planning Our finance leader must be willing to understand how the business actually operates. You should be comfortable moving between the financial statements and the plant floor. ERP, Systems & Data Our ERP platform is Odoo. Specific Odoo experience is an asset but is not required. What matters is your ability to understand ERP systems, improve data integrity, develop meaningful reporting and ensure technology gives management better information while reducing unnecessary administrative work. Build the Finance Team We are not looking for someone who simply performs the work themselves. You will be expected to lead and mentor accounting and finance employees, establish clear expectations, improve accountability, identify skill or resource gaps and build a finance organization capable of supporting growth. Who We're Looking For You should bring: Progressive accounting and financial leadership experience Strong manufacturing finance experience Strong knowledge of financial statements and accounting controls Experience leading month-end and year-end processes Strong understanding of working capital, inventory and cash flow Cost-accounting and margin-analysis capabilities Experience with budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling Experience with banks, lenders and external financial partners Strong ERP and data-analysis capabilities Experience improving financial systems and controls The ability to communicate financial information to non-financial leaders Demonstrated leadership of accounting or finance professionals A CPA designation is strongly preferred, but accomplishments, leadership ability and manufacturing experience will carry significant weight. The Person We're Looking For You are not looking for a comfortable accounting job. You want to build something. You ask why, challenge assumptions constructively and recognize problems before they become crises. You can move between a detailed costing issue and a long-term strategic discussion. You are comfortable respectfully challenging leadership when the numbers support your position, and you believe financial discipline should enable growth rather than prevent it. Most importantly, you want your work to have a visible impact on the company you help build. What Success Looks Like During your first 12–18 months, we expect measurable progress in: Monthly and year-end financial reporting Forecasting and cash management Financial controls and accountability Product and customer profitability analysis Working-capital and inventory management Banking and lender reporting ERP utilization and financial data integrity Finance team development and role clarity Financial modelling for Canadian and U.S. expansion Building the financial infrastructure required for a substantially larger company Our Interview Process We are interested in more than your résumé and previous job titles. Candidates who advance through our process should be prepared to discuss how they would approach their first several months at Progressive Industrial Fluids. Finalist candidates should expect a discussion around the type of 30-, 60-, 90- and 180-day plan they would use to assess the department, establish priorities and begin strengthening the finance function. We are not expecting you to know every answer before joining us. We want to understand how you think, how you establish priorities and how you turn an assessment into a plan. Why Join Progressive Industrial Fluids? This is an opportunity to join an established Canadian manufacturer at an important point in its development. The foundation has been built. The market opportunity exists. The growth strategy is taking shape. For the right person, this role provides the opportunity to lead our finance function now, prove yourself as a senior financial leader and potentially advance into VP Finance with a seat on our Executive Leadership Team. We aren't looking for someone who wants to inherit a finished finance department. We're looking for someone who wants to build one. Compensation & Benefits $130,000–$140,000+ base salary, depending on experience Performance-based incentive opportunity RRSP matching program Comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits Paid vacation Company events On-site parking Location: London, Ontario Work Environment: 100% on-site Employment: Full-time, permanent Work Location: In person

What you’ll do

Lead and develop the accounting and finance function, strengthening financial processes, controls, reporting, forecasting, cash management, and ERP data integrity. Improve costing, inventory and profitability analysis, support financing and growth planning, and build a finance team and infrastructure capable of supporting expansion.

Requirements

Candidates should have progressive finance leadership experience, strong manufacturing finance expertise, and demonstrated capability in accounting controls, financial reporting, working capital, inventory, cost accounting, forecasting, and ERP systems. Experience leading finance professionals and working with banks and lenders is expected; a CPA designation is strongly preferred.

Benefits

• Performance-Based Incentive
• RRSP Matching Program
• Health Benefits
• Dental Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• Company Events
• On-Site Parking

Listed skills

• Financial Reporting · Preferred
• Inventory management · Preferred
• ERP systems · Preferred
• Data analysis · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Financial Leadership
• Manufacturing Finance
• Financial Reporting
• Accounting Controls
• Month-End and Year-End Close
• Cash-Flow Forecasting
• Working-Capital Management
• Inventory Management
• Cost Accounting
• Margin Analysis
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Financial Modelling
• ERP Systems
• Data Analysis
• Banking and Lender Reporting
• Team Development

Job areas

• Finance & Accounting
• Management & Leadership
• Manufacturing