Operations Controller

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. (‘DHC’) is a proudly Canadian aerospace company currently transitioning its corporate headquarters to Calgary, AB. DHC is undertaking a consolidation of its underlying subsidiary companies under a single brand currently offering engineering, aftermarket, new aircraft manufacturing, modifications, parts manufacturing, and flight training. DHC currently has approximately 1,200 employees based in BC, AB and ON as well as in markets and distribution hubs world-wide. Our strong entrepreneurial spirit, together with a culture of empowerment, quality and innovation create opportunities to grow and succeed in an organization with a proud heritage and bright future.

Position Description

The Operations Controller is a senior member of the management team reporting to the Director of Finance. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Operations Controller to join our team. The Operations Controller will play a key role in overseeing the accounting and financial reporting functions of our Manufacturing, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), Aftermarket and Programs business units. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting and finance, with extensive experience in the manufacturing industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting and financial operations of the manufacturing, MRO, Programs and Aftermarket business units, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Manage the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures specific to manufacturing operations, optimizing processes for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Oversee cost accounting activities, including standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation, to support accurate product costing and pricing decisions.
• Collaborate closely with the manufacturing team to analyze production costs, identify cost-saving opportunities, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage the rotable pool, overseeing the tracking, maintenance, and replenishment of rotable components to support manufacturing and MRO operations.
• Develop and implement inventory management strategies for the rotable pool, optimizing inventory levels to minimize costs while ensuring availability and reliability.
• Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for all the divisions, providing insightful analysis and commentary on key performance metrics.
• Lead the implementation of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems for manufacturing operations, working closely with IT and external consultants to ensure successful deployment and integration with existing systems.
• Serve as the key liaison between finance and manufacturing departments during ERP implementation, facilitating communication, training, and change management efforts.
• Develop and maintain strong internal controls within the ERP system to safeguard financial data and ensure data integrity across manufacturing processes.
• Provide ongoing support and training to end-users of the ERP system, troubleshooting issues, and optimizing system usage to meet business needs.
• Key point of contact for audit for all operation. Collaborate with internal and external auditors to facilitate audits and address any findings or recommendations.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and technologies in manufacturing and ERP systems, proactively identifying opportunities for innovation and process optimization.
• Support ad-hoc financial analysis and special projects as needed to drive business objectives and strategic initiatives.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the finance and manufacturing teams, promoting knowledge sharing and skill development.

Education

• Post-secondary education in Accounting or Finance along with relevant work experience. CPA designation required.
• Minimum 8 years' experience in accounting/finance in a Controller or Senior Manager role with consolidation experience involving multi-currency reporting.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience managing/coaching and mentoring a team of finance/accounting professionals.
• Previous experience working in a manufacturing environment is considered an asset.
• Previous experience implementing an ERP system is considered an asset.
• Extensive knowledge of accounting and financial management principles and procedures is required.

Skills

• Must possess a high level of moral judgment for handling confidential information and monetary transactions.
• Proven leadership abilities with the capacity to motivate and develop a high-performing team.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong business intelligence/data analytics skills. Experience creating automated reports and dashboards.
• Advanced knowledge/experience using Microsoft Excel, Access, Power BI, Power Query.
• Previous experience working with multiple legal entities is a preference.
• Previous experience with ERP software (Visual, IFS is an asset) and ability to learn new and different ERP software.
• Strong knowledge of auditing, accounting, and corporate finance principles.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong internal and external business relationships.
• Solution oriented, customer service focus, and positive “can do” team attitude.
• Strong grasp of internal controls and finance procedures and practices.
• Clearly understands how to assess the importance of tasks and decisions and set priorities, focusing time/energy on the most important issues/opportunities.
• Effective attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communications skills required with demonstrated ability to handle confidential information in a professional manner.

At De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC), we are committed to protecting our people, customers, shareholders and the public through Health & Safety Excellence.

As such, it is an expectation that all employees maintain strict adherence to Health & Safety Policies and to perform key physical tasks of the position described in the job description and interview process. This may include but is not limited to the ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions including temperature extremes, confined spaces, working at heights and with or around chemicals.

Employees are expected to adhere to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when at work which must include but is not limited to the ability to maintain a positive fit test when mask use is required.

At De Havilland Canada, we aim to be inclusive and diverse and provide equal opportunity for employment. All qualified applicants, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability, are encouraged to apply. De Havilland will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise your Talent Acquisition representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Any offer of employment is conditional on the completion of positive and satisfactory background checks, which may include, proof that you are legally entitled to work in Canada, professional references, verification of employment history, verification of educational background and criminal background checks.