IPG Photonics is revolutionizing the laser industry as the pioneering developer and leading producer of fiber lasers and amplifiers. Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, IPG has over 4,800 employees in more than 25 locations around the world. We aspire to work together with our employees and customers to apply light in ways that improve life.

Our mission is to develop innovative laser solutions to make the world a better place. To accomplish this mission, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent and an engaged and thriving workforce that drives a sustainable future for our company and society.

The Global Financial Controller, Operations is a newly created role that will lead IPG Photonics global operational controllership function in collaboration with and reporting to the Chief Accounting Officer. This role will ensure worldwide standardization of key operational accounting activities while providing strategic business partnership in P&L, operations and net working capital management to senior leadership.

The position will also partner with IPG’s SVP of Global Operations and Head of Financial Planning and Analysis to establish clear, consistent business and operational reporting across the Company’s business lines. The ideal candidate will have robust leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills with a track record of driving process improvements and consistency throughout a complex, global organization.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead a large, high-performing global operational controllership team, fostering collaboration, consistency, and professional growth.
• Ensure alignment and collaboration across regional controllership teams in key processes.
• Establish and track key objectives, goals and KPIs for the global controllership team in collaboration with Chief Accounting Officer.
• Drive accountability across the Controllership organization to meet key strategic priorities.

Global Controllership Functional Responsibilities

• Establish consistent calculation methodologies and processes for critical reserve and estimation areas with the corporate accounting team
• Direct line reviewer of regional inventory reserve analyses, warranty reserve analyses, unrealized profit in inventory calculations and similar operational areas across the regions.
• Establish clear standardized operational practices for inventory management, product costing (including standard costs), fixed asset capital management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll in collaboration with the Chief Accounting Officer.
• Drive process standardization and data clean-up for ERP implementation
• Evaluate and establish opportunities to optimize accounting and finance processes through shared service centers

Business Partnering

• Establish collaborative, credible working relationships with the SVP of Global Operations, leaders of IPG’s business units, and other functional areas.
• Partner with Head of FP&A and Chief Accounting Officer to ensure business reporting and data needs are well coordinated and supported, prioritizing efficient processes and impactful analyses.
• Enhance “playbook” for M&A integration in collaboration with Chief Accounting Officer and VP of Corporate Development to ensure that new acquisitions are efficiently and effectively assimilated into IPG.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Identify and implement best practices in inventory processes and costing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and capital project accounting.
• Serve as critical subject matter expert in IPG’s ERP implementation initiative.
• Identify other roadmap tools to enhance global controllership effectiveness

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field (CPA, CMA or MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing Controllership.
• Experience in multinational manufacturing organizations.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and team management abilities.
• Robust manufacturing and cost accounting skills.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to drive change and influence at multiple levels in the organization.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Significant Plus: Knowledge of financial systems such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Host Analytics / Planful, Power BI or similar platforms and proficiency in Excel.

Attributes

• “Knows what good looks like” for global controllership.
• Robust business acumen with a global perspective.
• High level of integrity, accountability, organization, and attention to detail.