Senior Controller

Ready to make a big impact? Wow Bao is seeking a passionate and hands on Senior 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 to the CEO, Board, and investors – while building and leading the finance and accounting team.

The Senior 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.

This position will report directly to the CEO/President and requires 5 days a week on-site in Chicago, Illinois.

Why Join Wow Bao?

• Join the adventure! Be part of a fast-growing, innovative brand that’s shaping the future of food
• Make an impact. Opportunity to shape financial strategy during a pivotal expansion phase.
• Collaborative and creative.  Thrive in an entrepreneurial culture that values bold ideas and big growth.
• Bao-tastic perks!  Enjoy all the delicious, flavorful bao you can handle!

Innovative. Fast Pace. Growth.

At 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.

As 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.

Our 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.

Wow 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.

Join us and be part of a team that’s transforming the way the world experiences Asian cuisine—one bao at a time.

We foster a culture of caring.

Whether 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.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (Other duties will be assigned as needed)

Accounting, Close & Financial Reporting

• Own the full accounting cycle and general ledger, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and flux analysis.
• Lead the monthly close process; establish and run a close calendar that delivers timely, decision-ready financial statements.
• Prepare and review GAAP financial statements and management reporting packages for accuracy, completeness, and clarity.
• Coordinate the annual external audit; own PBC schedules, auditor requests, and remediation of findings.
• Coordinate tax compliance and filings with external advisors (income, sales & use, and other applicable taxes).
• Establish and maintain internal controls appropriate to company size, with clear documentation and compensating controls where the team is lean.

Cash Management & Working Capital

• Own cash management, including bank reconciliations, payment controls, and reliable short-term cash visibility.
• Maintain a rolling cash forecast (e.g., 13-week) and partner with leadership on liquidity and working-capital priorities.
• Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, including payment runs, collections cadence, and credit/collections risk.
• Monitor working-capital drivers (receivables, inventory, payables).
• Inventory, Cost Accounting & Plant Partnership
• Own inventory accounting, valuation, reserves, and obsolescence analysis across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Lead cost accounting processes and margin analysis; partner with operation