Position:
Controller Reports To: CEO & Owner; works closely with the Chief Operating Office Direct Reports: None initially; may add accounting staff over time Location: Carmel, IN office and Indianapolis plant; on-site About the Company CPS is a privately held, Indianapolis-based manufacturer of specialty corrugated packaging for the food industry. Founded 30 years ago by the current owner, CPS produces cake circles, pads and trays for bakeries, along with catering boxes, coffee carafes and custom packaging for national foodservice and bakery brands. The company has grown to approximately $50 million in revenue, is debt-free and profitable, and operates with a lean team of about 55 employees across its Carmel office and Indianapolis plant. Why This Role Matters CPS has grown from roughly $10 million to $50 million in revenue while running lean and relying on outsourced accounting. The CPA retired and they implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central six months ago, CPS needs its first in-house finance leader. The Controller will build the financial structure, reporting and cost visibility needed to equip leadership with the KPI‘s required for faster decision-making, and support of planned acquisitions.
The Ideal Candidate:
A hands-on, operationally minded Controller from a manufacturing environment who is as comfortable on the plant floor as in the general ledger. This leader brings strong cost accounting skills, builds practical KPIs and reporting, checks ego at the door, and has a record of integrity and long tenure.
Key Responsibilities:
Reporting to the CEO and partnering with operations, sales, purchasing and production, the Controller will lead all accounting, costing, cash management and financial analysis for CPS. Early priorities include a clean year-end close and true job costing. Success means trusted numbers that improve profitability and efficiency.
- Own manufacturing cost accounting: standard costs, variances, scrap and margin by product and customer
- Deliver financial statements and budget vs. actual; present to the CEO and COO
- Produce a weekly KPI dashboard for the CEO and lead budgeting, forecasting and a 13-week rolling cash forecast
- Become the Business Central finance expert, including costing, inventory valuation and Power BI reporting
- Ensure inventory accuracy, lead audit, tax and banking, and model ROI for capital projects and acquisition Professional Qualifications CPS is seeking a finance leader who has done the work, not just overseen it. The ideal background combines manufacturing cost accounting with operational curiosity, built in a lean company where finance spends time on the plant floor. Manufacturing experience matters more than packaging industry experience.
- 5+ years of progressive, hands-on accounting and finance experience in a manufacturing environment
- Strong manufacturing cost accounting background, including standard costs, variances and inventory
- Hands-on approach and unquestioned integrity, with a record of stable, long-tenured employment
- Highly proficient in Excel, with experience building KPIs, financial reporting and internal controls
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central experience strongly preferred; Power BI is a strong plus
- M&A experience desired to help lead a potential acquisition
- Corrugated or packaging industry experience preferred Education
- Accounting or finance background; CPA certification is helpful but not required Leadership & Personal Characteristics
- Principled - Leads with integrity and ethics, safeguarding assets and reporting results accurately
- Hands-On - Checks ego at the door and does the detailed work in a lean, close-knit team, comfortable rolling up your sleeves and executing the work
- Curious - Spends time on the plant floor to understand processes, cost drivers and the business
- Self-Directed - Makes sound, independent decisions with an owner who trusts and doesn't micromanage
- Data-Driven - Challenges assumptions with data while helping managers improve performance Culture & Environment CPS is a lean, entrepreneurial company where roles overlap and everyone pitches in. Integrity comes first, and the company shares its success through a profit-sharing plan that has paid out generously every year. The Carmel office is a professionally designed, comfortable workplace, and the office team meets at the plant every Tuesday. CPS values being on-site. A self-directed, collaborative leader who wants to make an impact will thrive here.
Compensation & Benefits:
CPS offers a competitive base salary, a generous profit-sharing plan, a 401(k) with company match, and a health insurance stipend.
