Job Details
Job Title: Live Controller
Department: Accounting / Finance
Reports To: Accounting / Finance Leadership
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia
Work Arrangement: On-site with possibility for a hybrid work schedule based on business needs
Shift / Schedule: 1st shift
Travel Requirements: Travel to farms, vendors, and other business locations as needed
Employment Type: Full-time
Role Overview / Purpose and Scope
The Live Controller provides strategic financial leadership and operational oversight for Farmer Focus live operations by directing financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, inventory management, cost control, and operational analysis for poultry production activities. This role serves as the primary financial partner to live operations leadership, driving cross-functional collaboration, leading key initiatives, strengthening internal controls, and delivering financial insights that support operational excellence, business performance, and long-term profitability.
The Live Controller leads projects across Accounting, Finance, Live Operations, Grower Relations, Procurement, and Executive Leadership while identifying opportunities to improve processes, enhance reporting, and support strategic decision-making throughout the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the development, coordination, and management of the annual budget, long-range financial planning, and recurring forecasts related to live operations in partnership with Accounting / Finance and operational leadership.
Direct financial oversight of poultry production costs, including feed, live operations labor, grower payments, vendor expenditures, mortality, inventory, transportation, and facility-related expenses.
Analyze financial and operational performance to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and cost drivers while developing actionable recommendations that improve profitability, operational efficiency, and business performance.
Own the financial reporting and reconciliation processes for live inventory, including live chickens, feed, and other poultry-related materials, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance with company policies.
Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve financial processes, reporting capabilities, inventory controls, and operational efficiencies across live operations.
Serve as the primary Accounting / Finance liaison for Live Operations, facilitating communication between departments, resolving financial and operational issues, and ensuring alignment on key business objectives.
Develop executive-level financial reports, dashboards, presentations, and key performance indicators that translate complex financial and operational data into meaningful business insights.
Drive continuous improvement efforts by identifying automation opportunities, streamlining workflows, enhancing reporting tools, and implementing best practices across live operations accounting.
Ensure compliance with accounting standards, internal controls, tax regulations, company policies, and industry-specific requirements related to poultry production and agricultural operations.
Lead and manage financial projects from planning through execution, coordinating timelines, stakeholders, deliverables, and successful implementation.
Provide leadership, coaching, and technical guidance to accounting and finance team members while fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional development.
Partner with growers, vendors, operational leaders, and executive leadership to support strategic initiatives, capital planning, and operational decision-making.
Exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making while effectively managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Perform other duties as assigned to support Accounting / Finance and live operations business needs.
Compensation
Compensation: $100,000-$130,000 annually
Additional Compensation: Not applicable unless otherwise specified by company policy or offer terms.
The posted compensation range for this role reflects the minimum and maximum amount Farmer Focus in good faith expects to pay at the time of posting, based on factors such as internal equity, relevant experience, market data, and the budgeted amount available for the position.
Benefits: Farmer Focus offers a competitive total rewards package designed to support team members' health, financial well-being, and professional growth. Available offerings may include weekly payroll, paid time off and sick leave, semi-subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision plan options, a 401(k) plan with company match, education reimbursement opportunities, employee assistance programs (EAP), and internal learning, development, and career growth programs.
All benefits, programs, and offerings are subject to eligibility requirements, plan terms, and company policies, and may be changed, amended, or discontinued by Farmer Focus at any time.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Agribusiness, or a related field required; CPA, CMA, MBA, or equivalent advanced credentials are preferred. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, cost accounting, financial planning and analysis, manufacturing, agriculture, food production, or live operations required; leadership or project management experience preferred.
Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cost accounting, inventory management, variance analysis, and internal controls.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects, manage competing priorities, and deliver results with minimal direction.
Proven ability to build strong working relationships and effectively communicate across Accounting / Finance, Live Operations, Grower Relations, Procurement, Executive Leadership, growers, and external business partners.
Self-starter with a high level of ownership, accountability, initiative, and sound business judgment.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into strategic business recommendations.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office required; experience with ERP systems, business intelligence platforms, inventory systems, and financial reporting tools preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information to operational and executive audiences.
Ability to adapt to changing business priorities while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and strong follow-through in a fast-paced environment.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.
New team members must be able to pass a drug, alcohol, and background screening post-offer and prior to the start of their employment. Must be authorized to work in the United States. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of their third day of work.
Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Travel
This role is primarily performed in a professional office environment with regular use of computers, financial systems, spreadsheets, and business reporting tools. The position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule based on business needs and leadership approval. Travel to farms, vendors, and other Farmer Focus locations may be required as needed. Farm and operational visits may require walking, standing, driving, and following applicable biosecurity, safety, and PPE requirements.
This position does not have an application deadline. Farmer Focus will recruit until the role is filled.
Recruiter and Agency Disclaimer
Unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted by staffing agencies, recruiters, or search firms to any Farmer Focus employee without a current written agreement and an active, role-specific request from the Recruiting team will be considered the property of Farmer Focus. Farmer Focus will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume or candidate profile.
All external recruiters and agency partners supporting Farmer Focus searches must comply with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including compensation transparency requirements and restrictions on seeking salary history where applicable.
About Farmer Focus
Farmer Focus exists to promote and protect generational family farms by shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best. We are committed to producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals. Our culture is grounded in servant leadership and guided by our CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship. Our top priorities are people, safety, and quality. At Farmer Focus, our vision is to disrupt the status quo by creating bold opportunities for people who demand more and deserve better.
EOE, including disability/vets
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Agribusiness, or related field
- CPA, CMA, MBA, or equivalent advanced credentials
- Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, cost accounting, financial planning and analysis, manufacturing, agriculture, food production, or live operations
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cost accounting, inventory management, variance analysis, and internal controls
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office
- Experience with ERP systems, business intelligence platforms, inventory systems, and financial reporting tools
- Leadership or project management experience (leading cross-functional projects, coaching team members)
- Proven ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with operational and executive audiences
- Ability to pass drug, alcohol, and background screening
- Authorized to work in the United States
- Ability to travel to farms, vendors, and other locations as needed
What We Do
Farmer Focus is a poultry company that partners with independent family farmers to produce organic, humanely raised, and traceable chicken.
