Operational Controller, Service

Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!

Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base. 

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Operational Controller – Service is a hands-on finance and operations partner supporting the Service organization. This role will help improve visibility and control across WIP, forecasting, job profitability, quoting, inventory, billing, and service performance.

This position requires a solid foundation in finance and accounting and works closely with operational teams to analyze financial and operational data, identify trends and opportunities, and translate findings into practical actions that improve execution, financial performance, and profitability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.

WIP & Job Financial Management

Maintain accurate WIP reporting and review open jobs for cost, revenue, margin, billing status, and aging.

Support cost-to-complete estimates, POC accounting where applicable, and timely job closeout.

Work with Service teams to identify aging WIP, cost overruns, and margin risks.

Forecasting & Budgeting

Support monthly revenue, gross margin, expense, and working-capital forecasts.

Use backlog, scheduled work, and expected completion dates to improve forecast accuracy.

Provide variance analysis and help explain key drivers of performance.

Quote & Contract Support

Support financial review of service quotes, maintenance contracts, spare parts, and machine upgrades.

Help ensure labor, material, travel, freight, outside services, and target margins are appropriately reflected.

Compare quoted margins to actual results and identify opportunities to improve estimating.

Service Performance & Throughput

Develop and maintain practical Service dashboards and KPI reporting.

Analyze profitability by job, customer, contract, and service line.

Support analysis of technician utilization, throughput, backlog, job cycle time, and margin performance.

Billing & Working Capital

Monitor completed-but-not-billed work and help remove barriers to invoicing.

Track WIP aging, billing cycle time, and other working-capital measures.

Help improve the process from work performed → job completion → invoicing → cash collection.

Systems & Process Improvement

Improve ERP data accuracy and recurring Service reporting.

Develop practical Excel, Power BI, or similar reporting tools.

Identify and support improvements to WIP, quoting, forecasting, inventory, billing, and job-closeout processes.

Inventory turnover and aging

Service contract profitability

REQUIRED SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered.  Typical qualifications would be:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business, or related field preferred.

4–6 years of experience in finance, accounting, cost accounting, or operational finance.

Working knowledge of WIP/job costing, inventory, margin analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.

Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Comfortable working directly with Service, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance teams.

Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel, experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Manufacturing, industrial equipment, field service, aftermarket, or project-based experience preferred.

Strong Excel and ERP skills; Power BI or similar reporting experience is a plus.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Local travel during the day may be required

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.

Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation

May access and work in the manufacturing plant

While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles

The employee may be exposed to vibration

The employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

May be required to travel to other site locations during the work day

May be required to work weekends to meet department and business demands

Work with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.

Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing area

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.

Must be able to frequently walk and stand for short periods of time

Must be able to lift and move up to 35lbs, occasionally lift and move objects up to 50lbs.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.

This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').

Ascent Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please call toll-free +1 586-726-0500. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.

BENEFITS

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

AD&D Insurance

PTO

401k Match

No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors

Please note that Ascent Aerospace does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to Ascent Aerospace will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before the unsolicited resume or offer is received.