Controller / Operations Director
Company: Leading white gloves logistics company
Location: Atlanta, GA 30331
Salary: $75,000 $100,000 annually
Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site
Reports To: Owner
Experience: 3 years or equivalent education.
Work Arrangement: Initially 100% on-site. Potential hybrid flexibility after 6 12 months based on performance and business needs.
Position Overview
Seeking a hands-on Controller / Operations Leader to work directly with the owner in managing, analyzing, and improving all aspects of the furniture moving business.
This is not a traditional accounting or finance-only position. We need a business-minded leader who is willing to roll up their sleeves, learn how the company operates from the ground up, understand our customers, and identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and increase profitability.
The ideal candidate combines financial expertise with practical operations experience, business analysis, and a continuous improvement mindset.
This person will become a trusted partner to the owner, helping build the financial and operational structure needed to support profitable growth.
Key Responsibilities
1. Learn the Entire Business Hands-On Operations
Work on-site to understand every aspect of daily operations.
Learn warehouse operations, inventory management, receiving, scheduling, dispatch, transportation, and delivery.
Participate in truck ride-alongs with delivery teams to understand actual field operations, labor requirements, customer expectations, and operational challenges.
Learn the sales process, customer relationships, pricing, contracts, and service commitments.
Develop a strong understanding of each major client, including their business requirements, service expectations, revenue, and profitability.
Work alongside warehouse personnel, drivers, dispatchers, administrative staff, and sales teams to identify opportunities for improvement.
2. Financial Management & Controllership
Manage and analyze company financial performance, including profit and loss (P&L).
Develop and manage annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans.
Establish financial reporting and performance dashboards.
Analyze revenue, expenses, labor costs, transportation costs, and operating margins.
Develop costing models to understand profitability by customer, project, delivery, and service.
Identify financial risks, cost overruns, and opportunities to improve cash flow.
Provide the owner with accurate financial information to support business decisions.
3. Cost Reduction & Profitability Improvement
Identify ways to reduce operating costs without compromising customer service.
Analyze labor utilization, staffing levels, overtime, warehouse efficiency, and delivery productivity.
Evaluate transportation expenses, fuel costs, truck utilization, routing, and scheduling.
Review customer pricing and contracts to identify underperforming accounts.
Develop recommendations to improve gross margins and overall profitability.
Implement measurable cost-saving initiatives and track results.
Identify opportunities to increase revenue and profitability from existing customers.
4. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) & Process Improvement
Evaluate existing business processes and identify operational inefficiencies.
Develop, document, and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all departments.
Establish consistent processes for warehouse operations, receiving, dispatch, delivery, billing, and customer service.
Create accountability, performance standards, and measurable operational KPIs.
Improve communication and coordination between sales, operations, finance, and delivery teams.
Build scalable systems and processes to support future growth.
5. Business Operations & Owner Partnership
Work directly with the owner to evaluate business performance and implement improvements.
Provide recommendations on pricing, staffing, operational investments, and growth opportunities.
Help establish a stronger management structure and accountability across departments.
Participate in operational planning, customer discussions, and strategic business decisions.
Develop reporting that gives the owner clear visibility into revenue, costs, margins, and operational performance.
Take ownership of improvement initiatives from analysis through implementation.
Required Qualifications
Strong background in financial management, controllership, and business operations.
Experience in third-party logistics (3PL), transportation, distribution, warehousing, or a similar operational business strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience with budgeting, P&L management, cost analysis, and financial reporting.
Ability to develop costing models and evaluate customer and operational profitability.
Experience developing SOPs and improving business processes.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn financial and operational data into actionable business improvements.
Willingness to work hands-on in the warehouse, ride along with delivery teams, and learn all aspects of the business.
Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Comfortable working directly with a business owner in an entrepreneurial environment.
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are looking for someone who:
Thinks like an owner: Understands how operational decisions affect profitability.
Is hands-on: Willing to spend time in the warehouse, ride in delivery trucks, and learn the business firsthand.
Understands the numbers: Can build budgets, costing models, and P&L reports that drive decisions.
Improves processes: Can develop SOPs, eliminate inefficiencies, and establish accountability.
Is customer-focused: Understands client requirements and how to deliver services profitably.
Drives results: Identifies opportunities, implements solutions, and measures financial impact.
First 90 Days Expectations
Days 1 30: Learn the Business
Meet employees, managers, and key customers.
Learn warehouse, sales, dispatch, delivery, and financial operations.
Participate in ride-alongs and observe daily workflows.
Review current financial statements, costs, and customer contracts.
Days 31 60: Analyze & Develop
Identify major cost drivers and operational inefficiencies.
Begin developing customer and delivery costing models.
Review budgets, margins, and P&L performance.
Document existing processes and prioritize SOP improvements.
Days 61 90: Implement Improvements
Present cost-reduction and profitability recommendations to the owner.
Implement initial SOPs and operational improvements.
Establish financial and operational KPIs.
Develop a prioritized action plan for continued profitability improvement.
Position Objective
Build a more efficient, accountable, and profitable business by combining financial discipline with hands-on operational leadership.
Success in this role will be measured by improved profitability, reduced operating costs, accurate costing models, stronger financial visibility, standardized processes, and the ability to help the owner make better business decisions.