{"id":3898333,"url":"https://alion.io/job/wow-bao-controller","title":"Controller","company":{"id":2651445,"name":"Wow Bao","domain":"wowbao.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/wowbao","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workable","truth_index":null},"role":"Finance","role_family":"Finance","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Chicago, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":120000,"max":150000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":150000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Excel","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-06T23:48:16Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-06","last_verified_at":"2026-11-07T20:33:41Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":0},"description":"Ready to make a big impact? Wow Bao is seeking a passionate and hands on Controller to lead accounting, financial reporting, cash management, internal controls, and compliance for a fast-growing, multi-channel CPG and food manufacturing company. This role owns the integrity of the books and a disciplined close, protects liquidity and working capital, and delivers accurate, timely reporting.\nThe Controller also partners with operations and commercial leaders on inventory, cost accounting, and trade spend, and supports forecasting, budgeting, and performance reporting across business channels. Deep CPG and/or food manufacturing experience is essential.\nThis position will report directly to the VP of Finance.\nWhy Join Wow Bao?\nJoin the adventure! Be part of a fast-growing, innovative brand that’s shaping the future of food\nMake an impact. Opportunity to shape financial strategy during a pivotal expansion phase.\nCollaborative and creative. Thrive in an entrepreneurial culture that values bold ideas and big growth.\nBao-tastic perks! Enjoy all the delicious, flavorful bao you can handle!\nInnovative. Fast Pace. Growth.\nAt Wow Bao, we believe food should be bold, exciting, and anything but ordinary. We're on a mission to reinvent the Asian Street Food experience-bringing inventive flavors and high-quality ingredients to every bite.\nAs the fastest-growing Frozen Asian Snack brand in the U.S., Wow Bao achieved over 370% retail sales growth in 2024, and our products are now available in 16,000+ grocery stores nationwide thanks to strong partnerships with leading retailers.\nOur journey began in 2003 with the opening of our first restaurant, and today Wow Bao is a thriving omni-channel brand with a presence in Chicago restaurants, airports, virtual kitchens, and universities. We continue to expand across all verticals-including foodservice, retail, and corporate operations.\nWow Bao is proud to be the only brand recognized three times by Fast Casual magazine as a Top 100 Movers & Shakers-earning the #1 spot in both 2019 and 2022, and #4 in 2023. This recognition reflects our commitment to innovation, growth, and excellence in what we do.\nJoin us and be part of a team that’s transforming the way the world experiences Asian cuisine-one bao at a time.\nWe foster a culture of caring.\nWhether it’s our guests or our employees, we put people first. We strive to inspire, to motivate, and to appreciate one another every day. We live by the golden rule and treat everyone with kindness, empathy, respect, and a healthy dose of humor. We take our work, not ourselves, seriously.\nRequirements\nESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (Other duties will be assigned as needed)\nAccounting, Close & Financial Reporting\nOwn the full accounting cycle and general ledger, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and flux analysis.\nLead the monthly close process; establish and run a close calendar that delivers timely, decision-ready financial statements.\nPrepare and review GAAP financial statements and management reporting packages for accuracy, completeness, and clarity.\nCoordinate the annual external audit; own PBC schedules, auditor requests, and remediation of findings.\nCoordinate tax compliance and filings with external advisors (income, sales & use, and other applicable taxes).\nEstablish and maintain internal controls appropriate to company size, with clear documentation and compensating controls where the team is lean.\nCash Management & Working Capital\nOwn cash management, including bank reconciliations, payment controls, and reliable short-term cash visibility.\nMaintain a rolling cash forecast (e.g., 13-week) and partner with leadership on liquidity and working-capital priorities.\nOversee accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, including payment runs, collections cadence, and credit/collections risk.\nMonitor working-capital drivers (receivables, inventory, payables).\nInventory, Cost Accounting & Plant Partnership\nOwn inventory accounting, valuation, reserves, and obsolescence analysis across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.\nLead cost accounting processes and margin analysis; partner with operations to understand and improve manufacturing and distribution cost.\nPartner closely with the plant accountant and operations leadership on inventory accuracy, physical/cycle counts, cost variances, and plant reporting into the corporate books.\nSupport pricing and margin decisions with clear cost and channel economics in partnership with commercial and operations leaders.\nTeam Leadership & Process Improvement\nLead, mentor, and develop accounting team; set clear goals, close ownership, and coverage plans.\nStrengthen systems and processes (close checklist, inventory/cost workflows) to improve accuracy, speed, and control.\nFoster a culture of care, accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional partnership.\nRevenue, Trade Spend & Gross-to-Net\nOversee accounting and reporting for retailer discounts, promotional allowances, rebates, scan-downs, chargebacks, slotting, co-op, and related trade programs.\nReview and validate retailer deductions, claims, and payment discrepancies; drive root-cause resolution with commercial and customers as needed.\nImplement and maintain controls around customer contracts, pricing agreements, and promotional funding commitments.\nImprove visibility and forecasting of trade investment and net revenue by channel/customer. Oversee accounting and reporting for retailer discounts, promotional allowances, rebates, scan-downs, chargebacks.\nPlanning, Forecasting & Stakeholder Reporting\nLead the annual operating budget and ongoing forecasting process in partnership with the VP of Finance.\nPrepare monthly financial reporting packages for the Board of Directors and investors, including performance vs. plan, cash, and key risks/opportunities.\nPrepare regular management reporting (e.g., weekly flash / operational summaries) covering performance across business channels.\nBuild and maintain practical financial models and analyses to evaluate initiatives (e.g. product launches, supply chain or cost actions).\nMaintain string working relationships with banking partners, auditors, and other external advisors.\nOther duties will be assigned as needed.\nREQUIREMENTS:\nBachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.\nCPA required.\n5 to 7 years of progressive experience in accounting and finance, with the majority of experience in accounting with 2 to 3 years as a Controller\n2+ years of accounting experience in CPG, food & beverage, manufacturing, and/or multi-unit retail.\nDemonstrated ownership of the full accounting cycle and monthly close, including general ledger, reconciliations, and issuance of accurate financial statements.\nHands-on experience with cash management and working capital, including cash forecasting and oversight of AP/AR processes.\nExperience establishing or maintaining internal controls and leading the external audit process from the company side.\nExperience with inventory accounting and cost accounting in a manufacturing or CPG environment.\nStrong written and verbal communication skills\nPREFERRED:\nExperience with large retail partners such as Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, or regional grocery chains\nAdvance proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel\nExperience with managing retail deductions, trade spend, rebates, chargebacks, and gross-to-net revenue accounting\nCompensation for this position is between $120,000.00 to $150,000.00 per year.\nWow Bao is an Equal Opportunity Employer\nBenefits\nCompetitive salary\nHealth Insurance (medical, dental, vision)\n401(k) Retirement Plan\nVoluntary Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability\nDomestic Partner Benefits\nPaid Time Off & Paid Holidays\nRestaurant Discounts\nEmployee Discount Programs\nWe foster a culture of CARE","description_format":"text","description_chars":7840,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Health insurance","Life insurance","Retirement plans"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Commerce","Catering & Food Services","Frozen 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