Controller

Job Summary: 

The Controller is expected to serve as a trusted financial and operational partner who provides accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to support sound business decisions and the achievement of company objectives. 

The Controller oversees the financial and accounting functions supporting berry production in Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Oxnard. This position is responsible for providing financial statements, operational cost reports, forecasts, management reporting, and other financial analyses required to support business decisions. 

The Controller ensures compliance with company accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and applicable accounting standards, including U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This role partners closely with operational leadership, the General Manager and Driscoll’s Finance team to provide financial insight, improve business processes, manage financial risk, and support the organization’s operational and strategic objectives. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Operations Accounting and Financial Reporting 

• Oversee the preparation, review, and accuracy of monthly financial statements, crop statements, cost reports, forecasts, financial analysis and other miscellaneous reporting in support of the operations. 
• Manage cost accounting processes. 
• Monitor financial results against budgets, forecasts, prior periods, and established operational benchmarks. 
• Maintain responsibility and accountability for the full balance sheets of assigned operational legal entities, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets, accrued expenses, and other assets and liabilities. 
• Oversee general ledger activity, journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close processes. 
• Monitor capital expenditures across operational entities, including tracking, reviewing, and approving expenditures within delegated authority and established company policies. 
• Identify and communicate financial risks, unusual transactions, material variances, and emerging trends. 
• Develop and support annual budgeting, financial planning, and periodic forecasting processes as required. 

Accounting Compliance and Internal Controls 

• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and applicable U.S. GAAP requirements. 
• Regularly review accounting policies and procedures to ensure they remain effective, relevant, aligned with current business needs and consistent across locations. 
• Identify control weaknesses, accounting risks, and opportunities to strengthen financial oversight. 
• Maintain adequate supporting documentation for financial transactions, account balances, estimates, and management reports. 
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of financial records, employee information, business data, and other sensitive company information. 
• Escalate suspected fraud, material accounting discrepancies, policy violations, and significant financial control concerns through the appropriate reporting channels. 

Operational Analysis, Reporting, and Decision Support 

• Collaborate closely with management, operational leaders and business partners, to support informed business decisions. 
• Provide timely, accurate, and meaningful financial information to support operational planning and performance management. 
• Analyze financial and operational results to identify trends, cost drivers, risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities. 
• Evaluate the financial impact of changes in production methods, crop volumes, labor requirements, operating costs, and other business activities. 
• Provide financial guidance, training, and support to operational personnel to improve their understanding of financial results, cost management, and budget accountability. 
• Proactively communicate significant financial developments, unfavorable trends, and opportunities. 

Business Process Improvement and Systems Management 

• Develop a thorough understanding of the company’s financial systems, including Famous or other enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and supporting applications. 
• Identify opportunities to automate, standardize, and streamline accounting processes and reporting workflows. 
• Lead approved process improvements that enhance accuracy, efficiency, internal controls, and the usefulness of financial information. 

Departmental General and Administrative (G&A) Management 

• Monitor departmental expenses, resource allocation, staffing needs, and other operating costs. 
• Identify opportunities to improve resource utilization and reduce unnecessary expenses without compromising accuracy, compliance, or service quality. 
• Develop staffing and resource plans that align with business needs, reporting requirements, and operational priorities. 

People Management and Leadership 

• Lead, supervise, and develop the Accounting and Finance team to achieve departmental and company objectives. 
• Delegate responsibilities appropriately while maintaining accountability for the quality and timeliness of departmental deliverables. 
• Establish and monitor individual and team performance goals aligned with business needs. 
• Provide ongoing coaching, constructive feedback, and professional development opportunities. 
• Foster a professional, collaborative, respectful, and accountable work environment. 
• Address performance concerns, workplace conflicts, and employee relations matters promptly and appropriately. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with operational management and Driscoll’s finance team. 
• Serve as a primary financial resource for operational leadership. 
• Communicate financial results, risks, variances, and recommendations clearly, professionally, and in a timely manner. 
• Participate in management meetings and other business discussions as needed to provide financial guidance. 
• Maintain a professional, diplomatic, solutions-oriented approach when addressing disagreements, financial concerns, or competing business priorities. 

Risk Management and Business Continuity 

• Identify and communicate financial, accounting, operational, and internal control risks within the Controller’s area of responsibility. 
• Ensure appropriate financial documentation, records retention, and safeguards are maintained. 
• Monitor the timely completion of critical accounting activities, including month-end close, reconciliations, financial reporting, and audit requests. 
• Establish backup procedures and cross-training to support continuity during employee absences, turnover, or other disruptions. 
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and authorization procedures are maintained, consistent with company policies and available resources. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Strong knowledge of financial accounting, cost accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls. 
• Advanced financial modeling, operational analysis, and financial planning capabilities. 
• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements. 
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial and operational information and translate findings into actionable business recommendations. 
• Experience with month-end and year-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, general ledger management, and financial statement preparation. 
• Strong understanding of ERP systems and accounting applications; experience with Famous or a comparable ERP system is highly desirable. 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and working proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and related business applications. 
• Excellent written, verbal, listening, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences. 
• Strong organizational, time-management, prioritization, and project-management skills. 
• Demonstrated leadership, team development, coaching, and performance-management abilities. 
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills. 
• High level of integrity, discretion, accuracy, attention to detail, and professional judgment. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic, operationally driven environment. 
• Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with senior leadership, business partners, and operational teams. 

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. 
• Minimum of five years of experience in a Controller position within private industry, or equivalent advanced experience in public accounting with relevant financial reporting and accounting responsibilities. 
• Demonstrated experience managing accounting functions, financial reporting, cost accounting, and financial analysis. 
• Experience leading, supervising, or developing accounting and finance personnel. 
• Advanced experience with Famous or a comparable ERP system is highly desirable. 
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred. 
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel between company locations as required. 
• Ability to meet the essential functions and responsibilities of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. 
• Experience in berry production preferred. 
• Fluency in English required; Spanish proficiency is a plus. 
• Commitment to uphold company values: Honesty, Tenacity, Humility. 

Working Conditions: 

• This position operates in a combination of office and agricultural production environments supporting company operations in Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Oxnard. 
• Regular travel between assigned company locations is required to support operational leadership, financial reviews, team development, and business needs. 
• Work may involve visiting ranches, production facilities, and other operational areas to understand business processes, review financial activities, and collaborate with field personnel. 
• The position requires frequent use of a computer, telephone, video conferencing, and other standard office equipment. 
• Work involves extended periods of desk work, reviewing financial reports and documentation, analyzing data, attending meetings, and preparing reports. 
• Occasional walking, standing, and movement through office and operational areas may be required. 
• The Controller must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and time-sensitive deadlines. 
• Additional hours may be necessary during month-end and year-end close, budgeting and forecasting cycles, audits, system implementations, and other critical business periods. 
• The position may require occasional meetings or coordination outside standard business hours to support operational schedules and business requirements. 
• When visiting production or agricultural areas, the employee must follow applicable company safety policies, site requirements, and required personal protective equipment guidelines. 
• The employee must maintain appropriate professional conduct, confidentiality, and compliance with company policies in all work environments. 
• Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position. 

Other Duties as Deemed Necessary