Controller – Manufacturing
Company: Progressive Industrial Fluids Ltd.
Location: London, Ontario (On-site)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Reports To: Part-Time CFO
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $85,000–$110,000 annually (based on experience)
Vacation: 2 weeks
Health benefits: eligible after 3 months
RRSP program: eligible after 6 months
About Progressive Industrial Fluids
Progressive Industrial Fluids is a locally owned, family-operated Canadian manufacturing company based in Southwestern Ontario. We design, manufacture, and distribute industrial fluids and specialty chemical products that support critical industries across Canada.
Built from the ground up, Progressive has grown through a strong focus on process, quality, and doing things the right way. We take pride in producing true Canadian-made products, supporting local jobs, and maintaining hands-on ownership involvement in the business.
Over the past several years, we’ve intentionally invested in building a process-driven organization. From documented procedures and quality controls to ERP integration through Odoo, our systems are designed to support scale, consistency, and continuous improvement. These foundations give us significant room to grow — and we are now poised for the next phase of expansion.
We believe great companies are built by great people. As we grow, we are focused on surrounding ourselves with high-calibre team members who care about their work, take ownership, and want to help build something lasting. We value accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement, and we believe strong systems and leadership allow people to do their best work.
Joining Progressive Industrial Fluids means becoming part of a team that is building for the long term — where contributions matter, improvements are encouraged, and success is shared.
The Role
This is a hands-on Controller role for someone who wants to build, improve, and own the financial function of a growing manufacturing business. You will take full ownership of accounting, financial data integrity, costing, and reporting — ensuring the numbers are not only accurate, but useful for decision-making.
The Controller will act as the central point of accountability for all financial data, ensuring accuracy, structure, and reliability across the organization. This includes not only maintaining day-to-day accounting operations, but actively improving systems, costing, and reporting so they function effectively within our ERP (Odoo) and support decision-making at the leadership level.
The Controller works closely with a part-time CFO who joins the team weekly to review financials and present results to the CEO and leadership team. This role is responsible for preparing clean, accurate, and well-structured financial information that enables those discussions.
We are looking for someone who is detail-oriented, organized, and accountable — while also being proactive in identifying opportunities to improve processes, reporting, and financial performance. This role requires someone who can operate independently, take ownership of outcomes, and follow through consistently.
This is not a purely desk-based accounting role. Collaboration with operations, production, and leadership is essential. Understanding how work is performed on the floor is critical to improving costing, pricing, and overall financial visibility.
The Controller will also be responsible for managing a small accounting team (1 AR/Accounting Clerk) and ensuring processes are clear, efficient, and consistently followed.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Operations & Reporting
Own the full accounting cycle, including monthly, quarterly, and year-end close
Prepare accurate financial statements, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow
Maintain the general ledger, reconciliations, and supporting schedules
Ensure financial data is clean, organized, and audit-ready
Support the CFO with reporting packages and financial analysis for leadership
ERP (Odoo) & Data Integrity
Own financial data structure and workflows within Odoo
Improve system setup to ensure accurate KPI tracking and reporting
Identify and implement process improvements within the ERP
Work cross-functionally to ensure accurate data flow between departments
Cost Accounting, Pricing & Margins
Develop and refine costing models across products and processes
Ensure accurate tracking of material, labour, and overhead costs
Support pricing decisions with clear margin analysis
Continuously improve costing accuracy and reporting visibility
Budgeting, Forecasting & KPIs
Lead the annual budgeting process and maintain rolling forecasts
Track performance against budget and provide variance analysis
Develop and maintain key performance indicators, including margin, efficiency, and inventory performance
Ensure leadership has clear, actionable financial insights
Cash Flow & Working Capital
Monitor and manage cash flow, including forecasting
Oversee accounts receivable and support collections as needed
Optimize working capital, including inventory and payables
Assets, Compliance & Controls
Maintain fixed asset records and depreciation schedules
Ensure compliance with tax filings (HST/GST, payroll, etc.)
Coordinate with external accountants for year-end and tax requirements
Strengthen internal controls and financial processes
Team Leadership
Manage and support the AR/Accounting Clerk
Establish clear processes, expectations, and accountability
Ensure consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in day-to-day accounting tasks
Operational & Continuous Improvement
Collaborate with team members on cost-saving initiatives
Provide financial insight to support operational decisions
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, systems, and profitability
Who You Are
You are someone who:
Takes ownership of outcomes and follows through consistently
Is highly organized and detail-oriented
Is comfortable working independently while collaborating with leadership
Enjoys improving systems and building structures
Understands how financial data connects to real operations
Communicates clearly and provides actionable insights
Qualifications & Experience
5+ years of accounting experience, ideally in manufacturing or a product-based business
CPA designation (or in progress) preferred
Strong understanding of cost accounting and inventory management
Experience working with ERP systems (Odoo experience is a strong asset)
Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Core Skills & Competencies
Accountability
Attention to Detail
Analytical Thinking
Financial Reporting
Cost Accounting
Process Improvement
ERP Systems (Odoo)
Communication
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Team Leadership
Decision-Making
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $85,000.00-$110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Dental care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:
- London, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Are you willing to work 100% in the office and lead an accounting team?
Experience:
- Manufacturing: 1 year (preferred)
Language:
Licence/Certification:
- Chartered Professional Accountant (preferred)
Work Location: In person
