Controller

Job Description:

ITW DESCRIPTION:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) is a global Fortune 200 diversified manufacturing company that delivers specialized expertise, innovative thinking and value-added products to meet critical customer needs in a variety of industries.   ITW, with approximately 16.1 billion dollars in global revenues, operates 8 major segments with businesses in 57 countries that employ approximately 49,000 women and men. These talented individuals, many of whom have specialized engineering or scientific expertise, contribute to our global leadership in innovation. We are proud of our broad portfolio of more than 16,000 active patents.

The foundation of our company is the ITW Business Model, a unique and differentiated set of core capabilities and business practices that comprises three key elements: ITW’s 80/20 Front to Back Process, customer-back innovation and a decentralized entrepreneurial culture. Our strategy is to leverage the full potential of the ITW Business Model to generate solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns. ITW is committed to operational excellence and innovation that helps our customers create the products and services that make our lives better.

ELECTRO STATIC TECHNOLOGY (AEGIS) BUSINESS UNIT DESCRIPTION:

Electro Static Technology, an ITW Company, is a global manufacturer and the inventor of AEGIS® Shaft Grounding Rings, used in electric motors and other rotating equipment to safely discharge stray voltage to ground. AEGIS® Shaft Grounding Ring technology is installed in all ranges of motors, from fractional horsepower to thousands of HP/kW, used in virtually all commercial and industrial applications including electric vehicles.

Position Summary:

As a key member of the Electro Static Technology leadership team, the Controller will serve as a key business partner to the Business Unit Manager and the EST management team.  They will manage the finance and accounting functions of this $30M business. This has the responsibility of overseeing and managing the company’s accounting and finances, a responsibility that overlaps with nearly every aspect of the company’s operations. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead accounting and finance processes and practices for the business unit, including:
  • Maintain financial statements/records of the business unit.
  • Develop and enhance internal controls, policies and procedures and implement best practices.
  • Set key financial performance indicators and effectively communicate financial analysis and recommendations to the management team to improve financial performance.
  • Develop key financial metric reports for the management team, including ad-hoc reports as needed.
  • Monthly forecasting of operating income and revenue with business unit manager and operations.
  • Coordinate and manage the internal and external audit process.
  • Consolidate results with greater Electrostatics division.
• Partner with the management team to develop and execute strategies in all areas of the business including the long-range plan (LRP) and annual plan (AP). Creatively approach and automate functions to improve efficiency.
• Protect business assets and manage risk.
• People leadership & talent development; leads and develops talent to maximize individual, team and organizational effectiveness; fosters a culture of engagement and accountability, cascading vision, and creating goal alignment with business objectives, coaches through feedback, development and performance management.
• Apply financial and market/industry knowledge and stay abreast of current trends.
• Evaluate projects that support additional investment or enhance the current development of assets and resources with the goal of improving the profitability of the organization.
• Act with integrity and candor in all areas of influence.

Qualifications and skills

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, MBA and/or CMA/CPA preferred, and a minimum of 5 years of experience in finance. CPA is preferred.

• 5 to 7 years in finance/accounting leadership role across multiple financial functions including AR, AP, GL, cost accounting, financial processes, internal controls, forecasting, and planning.
• Experience in public and multinational companies.

• Experience in finance and accounting in a manufacturing company environment.
• Ability to exercise independent and sound judgment and solve practical business problems in a prompt manner and often under tight deadlines.
• Excellent leadership skills, high emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness.
• Commercially aware, able to tell a business story with numbers.
• Strong computer skills in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Experience with Epicor ERP and Power BI is a plus.
• Ability to continuously improve accounting function.
• Desire to lead, mentor and manage a team.
• Prior management experience is preferred.
• Other duties as assigned by the Business Unit Manager

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Teamwork: Actively participates in teams by contributing to operating unit’s goals, offering input and new ideas. 
• Internal Customer Satisfaction: Builds partnerships with internal customers by regularly demonstrating a high level of expertise and professionalism. Keeps internal customers informed of timelines and action plans. Independently assesses and effectively responds to internal customers’ requests. Implements solutions by following company policies and procedures. Follows through on commitments made to internal customers. 
• Problem Solving: Ability to determine the best path to resolution. Daily decisions must be made regarding prioritizing multiple issues simultaneously. Solve problems when there are no available precedents, guidelines, or policies by drawing upon experience, research, input from peers, & accounting staff. 
• Communication: Communicates to the operations manager, sales, customer service, accounting team and other departments to ensure effective two-way interaction. Superior written and verbal communication skills are required. 
• Leadership/Initiative: Actively seeks accounting and financial improvements. Actively participates in the development of team, seeking opportunities that foster skill development. Consistently demonstrates integrity and high work standards. 

Business Knowledge: Keeps current with the latest company developments along with industry trends. 

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.