Controller

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and results-driven Controller to oversee the financial operations of nine companies headquartered in two locations in Mexico and one in Costa Rica through a service center network of 39 locations. The Controller will play a key leadership role in driving financial strategy, ensuring operational efficiency, managing financial risks, and supporting the growth and success of our Mexico operations. This role oversees two (2) financial controllers directly, 55 employees indirectly, and one (1) outside consultant maintaining the financial records for Costa Rica. Of the indirect staff managed, 17 employees are in accounting and finance roles and 38 employees are in purchasing, warehousing, and office administration roles. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of both U.S. and Mexican accounting practices, tax laws, and regulatory environments. This role requires a strong ability to collaborate across multiple functions, lead diverse teams, and drive financial performance while ensuring compliance with all applicable local and international regulations. This position reports directly to the Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) of Applied Industrial Technologies (Applied), a U.S.-based public company traded on the NYSE. The incumbent will also be a key business partner to the two operating leaders, and the supporting business unit finance leaders, of the Applied Mexico and Grupo Kopar businesses in Applied. Key Responsibilities: Financial Leadership: Oversee all financial activities of the nine companies operating in Mexico. Lead, mentor, and develop the local finance teams, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and collaboration. Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with the company’s overall goals, optimizing revenue, cost management, and profitability. Act as a key strategic partner to the senior leadership team in Mexico and the corporate finance organization based in the United States, providing insights on financial performance and recommendations for improvement. Financial Reporting and Planning & Analysis: Ensure accurate, timely, and relevant financial reporting for both internal stakeholders, including support of business unit leadership, and external regulators. Oversee the statutory financial reporting for each entity including regulatory financial and tax filings. Drive the budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes for the Mexican subsidiaries aligned with needs of the business units supported. Provide comprehensive and actionable financial reports to senior leadership, including variance analysis and financial projections. Compliance and Regulatory Oversight: Ensure compliance with all local and international financial regulations, including Mexican, accounting standards, reporting requirements and tax laws. Oversee local external audits and coordinate with the internal audit team to ensure that financial controls are adequate and followed. Stay abreast of changes in local and international tax laws and regulations, ensuring the companies' financial practices remain compliant; coordinate the impact of any changes with the Corporate Tax department. Treasury and Cash Flow Management: Lead efforts to optimize working capital, reduce financial risk, and enhance operational efficiencies. Manage the company’s financial risk, cash flow, and liquidity position. Oversee banking relationships, financing, and capital structure decisions as they relate to the Mexico operations; ensure coordination of this with the Corporate Treasury department. Mergers, Acquisitions & Investments: When necessary, the incumbent may be responsible for managing financial aspects of M&A activities, potentially including due diligence, integration planning, and post-merger financial integration. Assess potential investment opportunities and capital allocation decisions that align with the company's strategic objectives. Cross-Border Coordination and Communication: Act as the primary liaison between the Mexican operations and the U.S.-based corporate finance and accounting teams. Collaborate with other local and corporate departments such as Operations, Legal, HR, and IT to drive financial and operational performance across the businesses. Ensure seamless communication between the Mexico finance team and the CAO’s office, reporting on financial outcomes, opportunities, and challenges. Strategic Initiatives: Support growth initiatives, including expansion into new markets, new product lines, or geographic regions. Assess the financial feasibility of strategic initiatives and provide the necessary financial analysis and risk assessments. Qualifications: Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred. CPA or equivalent professional financial designation highly desirable. Experience: At least 10 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior financial leadership role. Demonstrated experience overseeing financial operations in a multi-legal entity environment, preferably within manufacturing, retail, or multinational organizations. Strong experience working with both U.S. GAAP and Mexican financial reporting standards (IFRS or local Mexican GAAP). Deep understanding of Mexican tax, legal, and regulatory requirements. Proven track record in managing financial teams across multiple locations. Experience in managing cross-border teams and in a matrix organization Experience managing teams in commercial or other administrative areas is desirable. Experience working in a U.S.-listed public company is highly desirable. Skills & Competencies: Strong strategic and financial analytical skills, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights. Expertise in financial forecasting, budgeting, and financial modeling. High proficiency in financial systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Excel) and business intelligence tools. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization. Fluency in both English and Spanish, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills in both languages. Strong leadership and team management abilities, with a proven track record of developing talent and building cohesive teams. Additional Requirements: This position is based in Monterrey, Mexico, with regular travel between Monterrey and Chihuahua, with limited travel to the corporate office in Cleveland, Ohio, or to the 39 locations in the service center network across Mexico, the United States and/or Costa Rica.

Location: Monterrey Metropolitan Area, MX

Posted Date: 8/13/2025