Controller

Jewel began as a group of door-to-door salesmen selling tea and coffee from the back of horse-drawn wagons. Founded in 1899 by Frank Ross and his brother-in-law Frank Skiff, the company started with $700, a rented horse, and a secondhand wagon. In time, hundreds of routes were added across the nation and the Jewel Route man became a familiar, welcomed sight. After partnering and naming the venture Jewel Tea Company, the routeman called on his customers every other week directly to their homes.

The Controller position directs and supervises accounting, reporting, inventory control activities, projections, payroll, capital expenditures and office services for the Distribution Center. The Controller is also responsible for ensuring the operation is consistent with corporate policies, sound accounting procedures, and compliant with Sox requirements. It will be a leadership position within the DC management group and provide analytical insights, drive value, and be a strategic advisor to the senior DC leadership. The position reports to the DC General Manager with a strong dotted-line reporting relationship with the Director, Supply Chain Finance that supports the Regional Vice President, Distribution. The Controller will supervise up to 8 professional and clerical support staff including 1 or more managers depending on the size and complexity of the DC. In some cases a Controller may also oversee finance and accounting staff for additional DC’s (i.e. smaller satellite DC’s in close proximity).

* Interprets and analyzes financial reports and prepare recommendations concerning operation results to General Manager and Director and Senior Director, Supply Chain Finance. * Coordinates all budgeting and forecasting activities for the distribution center(s). * Establishes, publishes, and maintains accounting policies to affect adequate accounting controls. * Oversees safeguarding and optimizing Company assets, including inventory control and capital investment. * Provides special analyses and studies for Distribution Center projects including all major outside wholesalers. * Oversees the maintenance of all Distribution Center financial records and publication of related financial statements. * Ensures the accurate and timely preparation of financial records in accordance with company policy and accepted accounting principles. * Interfaces with the corporate and retail accounting departments to coordinate the accounting and reporting activities of the Distribution Center with all other company accounting and reporting activities. * Maintains good working relationships with both retail and distribution management and provides information, analysis, and assistance as required. * Acts as a liaison between Distribution and Systems Support / IT on all data processing and management functions related to the Distribution Center. * Stays abreast of industry developments and company operations particularly in the distribution area, to assist in increasing revenues, reducing costs or otherwise improving the net profit results for the company. * Maintains formal and informal channels of upward communications; encourages the expression of new ideas, suggestions, and complaints; reviews them for appropriateness and further action. * Supervises the activities of the Distribution Center finance/accounting department, including personnel actions regarding hiring, development, terminations, layoffs, promotion and salary increases. Reviews and evaluates work of subordinates and prepares performance reports. * Maintains functional authority over finance/accounting staff at distribution operating units. * Maintains training and development programs to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of accounting/finance staff.

* 4-year college degree in Finance or Accounting required, MBA and/or CPA preferred. * Minimum 7 years’ experience in accounting, planning, reporting and analysis experience with a Fortune 500 Company * At least 3 years’ experience in a manager or supervisory role. * Major consumer products or distribution industry experience preferred * Ability to think strategically and identify/execute appropriate action plans. * Strong technical accounting knowledge. * Strong analytical and investigative research skills. * Strong understanding of inventory system and how it relates to financial reports. * Strong supervisory skills and ability to work with and though others to achieve desired results. * Excellent project management and resource prioritization skills. Ability to develop realistic timelines and deliver results. * Strong analytical skills to develop business proposals, including NPV and IRR analysis and experience in new business development, productivity analysis. * Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, Access PowerPoint, and Essbase. * High degree of initiative and results orientation. * Must excel in a fast-paced, high volume production operation with tight deadlines and high customer service expectations. * Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to manage multiple priorities. * Good interpersonal. Skills and desire to be a team player. * Travel Requirements: Less than 10%.