Controller

Position Title:

Controller

Pay Rate: 

$101,000 - $134,600 

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range. Variable pay may provide additional opportunities for financial awards. This job is eligible to participate in IP’s annual incentive plan.

Category/Shift: 

Salaried Full-Time 

Physical Location:

Three Rivers, MI

Overview:
As a Controller, you will be more than a financial steward, you will be a strategic partner to the IN/MI SBU supporting operations and commercial teams, driving performance through insights and innovation. This role provides financial leadership, delivering accurate reporting and actionable insights while leveraging 80/20 principles to prioritize what truly moves the needle, shaping the financial strategy that powers our business forward.

The Job You Will Perform: 

• Partner with Operations and Commercial Leaders: Collaborate to optimize profitability, improve efficiency, and support strategic initiatives by identifying and acting on the 20% of drivers that deliver 80% of results. 

• Drive Financial Planning and Management: Provide deep analysis of operational and commercial performance, manage working capital, and ensure optimal resource allocation while ensuring effective closing processes for timely and accurate results.

• Champion Data and Technology: Implement digital tools, automation, and advanced analytics to enhance reporting, streamline processes, and focus resources on critical insights, prioritizing high-impact analysis and eliminating low-value activities.

• Ensure Compliance and Integrity: Maintain accurate financial records while streamlining controls for efficiency.

• Influence Strategic Decisions: Provide clear, forward-looking financial insights that shape operational and commercial strategies toward the most profitable opportunities, including active participation in development of a 5-year capital plan that aligns with business objectives, supports financial analysis to justify major investments, and tracks project expenses to ensure alignment with approved budgets.

The Skills You Will Bring: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA or CMA preferred

• Three + years of accounting and/or finance experience

• Experience in manufacturing or industrial operations highly desirable; corrugated industry preferred

• Strong analytical and business partnering skills with proficiency in ERP and BI tools (Power BI, SAP, etc.)

• Ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, drive process improvements, and cash management

• Experience with coaching, mentoring, and building high-performing teams that deliver results

• Skilled at assigning responsibilities strategically to empower team members and optimize efficiency

• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment