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Controller, Manufacturing, San Francisco

San Francisco, CA
Controller, Manufacturing, San Francisco

Controller San Francisco, CA (In-Office) $170,000 – $200,000 + Bonus Potential

The Opportunity

We’re a fast-growing San Francisco-based lighting design and manufacturing company building high-performance solutions for data centers. With more than 35 million square feet of data center space already lit up across the U.S., we’re in the middle of a big, exciting transition: moving from contract manufacturing to fully in-house production at our new East Bay facility.

We’re looking for a hands-on, builder-minded Controller who wants to architect the entire manufacturing accounting function from the ground up. This isn’t a “keep the lights on” role — it’s a high-impact opportunity to design systems, implement processes, and create the financial foundation for a scaling operation.

You’ll report directly to the VP of Finance. Full-time in-office in San Francisco, with occasional trips to the East Bay manufacturing site.

What You’ll Actually Own

  • Run the full accounting cycle end-to-end: A/P, A/R, general ledger, monthly/quarterly/annual closes, GAAP financial statements, balance sheet reconciliations, and variance analysis.
  • Build manufacturing accounting from scratch — standard costing, WIP accounting, inventory valuation, BOM costing, overhead allocation, cycle counts, and variance tracking (material yield, labor efficiency, PPV).
  • Configure and own the manufacturing and accounting modules in our ERP (Odoo) and QuickBooks Online, including item master structure and real-time cost visibility.
  • Handle multi-state sales & use tax compliance, registrations, filings, and remittances as we grow into new jurisdictions.
  • Design and implement strong internal controls and scalable accounting policies (future audit-ready and PE/VC-milestone friendly).
  • Partner closely with Operations, Procurement, and Engineering to keep master data clean and costs transparent as production ramps.
  • Support budgeting, forecasting, KPI dashboards, and gross margin analysis.
  • Be the main point of contact for external tax accountants, auditors, insurance brokers, and regulatory agencies.

What We’re Looking For

Must-haves:

  • 8–12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including time as a Controller or Assistant Controller.
  • Manufacturing experience required — you’ve been the Controller or Assistant Controller in a product-manufacturing environment.
  • True “builder” mindset (non-negotiable): proven hands-on experience setting up or heavily redesigning manufacturing accounting systems (cost accounting, inventory/WIP, ERP configuration). Not just maintaining what already exists.
  • Strong command of GAAP, ASC 606 revenue recognition, and multi-state sales tax.
  • Comfortable as a true department of one — you enjoy rolling up your sleeves and owning the details and transactions.
  • Willing to work full-time in-office in San Francisco.
  • Excellent communication skills and strong Excel + accounting system proficiency.

Nice-to-haves:

  • Active CPA or CMA
  • Hands-on experience with QuickBooks Online and Odoo (especially manufacturing/MRP modules)
  • Background in hardware, electrical, or lighting products
  • Experience in VC- or PE-backed companies
  • Equity compensation / ASC 718 accounting experience

The Vibe We’re After

You hold yourself to a high ethical standard and people trust you with confidential, high-stakes financial matters. You’re a transparent communicator who builds trust fast. You thrive in fast-paced environments, stay calm when priorities shift, and take complete ownership of outcomes. You see accounting systems as a competitive advantage, not just compliance work — and you genuinely get excited about building the foundation rather than just maintaining it.

First 90 Days – What Success Looks Like

  • Day 30: Fully own day-to-day A/P, A/R, and the complete monthly close cycle.
  • Day 60: Map out the full manufacturing accounting transition strategy and audit current Odoo/QBO data accuracy.
  • Day 90: Begin implementing standard costing and inventory frameworks aligned with the physical move to in-house production.

The Perks

  • $170k–$200k base + bonus potential
  • 100% employee / 90% family healthcare coverage
  • 401(k)
  • Responsible PTO
  • Equity options in a rapidly scaling company
  • Amazing culture — hard-working, but we actually enjoy the work

This is a rare chance to put your fingerprint on the financial systems of a company powering the next wave of data center infrastructure.

If this sounds like the kind of builder role you’ve been looking for, send your resume (or a quick note about why it excites you) and let’s talk.

Controller, Manufacturing, San Francisco