Valoroso Foods is searching for a financial leader to play a pivotal role in supporting the continued growth and success of their dynamic group of companies. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who thrives in the dynamics of a highly entrepreneurial family business. The Controller will oversee the company’s financial management while working alongside ownership to strengthen operations, support employees, improve processes, and provide the insights necessary to drive profitability, efficiency, and sustainability.
Fine, Authentic, Italian Food
For over two decades, Valoroso Foods has supplied the staples of Italian and European cuisine to food devotees and culinary connoisseurs across the country. Founded by Joe and Elisa Valoroso in 1995, Valoroso Foods started from the ground up in Kelowna, quickly becoming a key distributor of the best olive oils, pastas and other delicacies from Italy and Europe to Canadian hotel chains, restaurants, and grocers. This success led to the purchase of an additional 40,000 square foot warehouse to store their goods, and before long they were shipping containers of only the best quality products from manufacturers in Italy and Europe to provide to their customers.
Today, the Valoroso showroom and wholesale operations offer an assortment of Italian specialties from over 20 regions – ranging from aged traditional balsamic of Modena, to espresso coffees from Sicily, and an extensive selection of high-end meats and cheeses.
The traditions, heritage, and noble manner in which the family approaches their business is the same manner in which they approach their family life – with love, pride, and dedication. From this, their business continues to grow.
Responsibilities
This is more than a traditional finance role. Reporting to Ownership, this role requires a hands-on leader who enjoys understanding how the business operates, who can turn financial, operational, and people-related insights into practical actions that support continued success.
Key responsibilities include, but will not be limited to:
Finance and business performance
- Oversee full-cycle accounting, including financial reporting, month-end and year-end close processes, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll oversight, and bank reconciliations.
- Prepare financial and management reporting, providing meaningful insights to support business reporting and decision-making.
- Manage budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and working capital requirements across the group.
- Serve as the primary liaison with banks, lenders, external accountants, and other advisors, supporting financing activities and preparing ongoing lender reporting packages and requirements.
- Establish and maintain financial controls, policies, procedures and reporting frameworks to support accuracy, accountability, consistency, and compliance.
- Ensure compliance with tax, regulatory, and other reporting requirements.
Operations and strategic support
- Partner with ownership to address operational challenges, identify opportunities, and implement practical business solutions.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures and key performance indicators (KPIs) that support organizational effectiveness and growth.
- Support inventory management, resource planning, and operational decision-making across the business
- Collaborate with teams across import logistics, purchasing, vendor management, warehousing, distribution, and retail operations to improve performance and profitability.
- Support operational risk mitigation across inventory management, compensation planning, capital assets, and investments.
- Partner with ownership and operational leaders to understand the business, evaluate performance, and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Support the management of the group’s real estate portfolio, including lease administration, agreement review, and related reporting and analysis.
People and team leadership
- Lead, mentor, and support employees, including direct supervision of the accounting team.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable and team-oriented work environment.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee-related initiatives, as required.
- Build strong relationships across the organization and serve as a trusted resource to ownership and employees.
- Demonstrate a high degree of confidentiality and discretion regarding business operations and information gathered through the performance and assignment of job responsibilities
- Other responsibilities as may be requested by ownership.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, commerce, or similar field, with a major or concentration in accounting or finance.
- Progressive experience in accounting and finance, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and internal controls.
- CPA designation is considered an asset but is not required for candidates with strong relevant experience.
- Experience working closely with ownership or senior leadership within an entrepreneurial or family-owned business.
- Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, controls, and performance metrics to support organizational growth and efficiency.
- Strong understanding of operational business foundations, including inventory management, purchasing, logistics, distribution, retail, wholesale, manufacturing, or related environments.
- Experience within the food importation, distribution, wholesale and retail sector, the real estate sector, or similar sectors is considered a strong asset.
- Proven leadership experience with a collaborative, hands-on approach to team development and employee support.
- Experience managing external relationships, including banks, lenders, accountants, legal advisors, suppliers and other key stakeholders.
- Experience with ERP systems and business management software; Odoo experience would be considered an asset.
What does success look like?
- Ownership receives timely, accurate, and actionable financial and operational insights to support effective decision-making.
- Financial controls, reporting processes, and business procedures are well established, creating greater accountability and visibility across the organization.
- Meaningful KPIs and management reporting provided clear insight into performance, profitability and growth opportunities.
- Strong relationships are maintained with lenders, suppliers, employees and other key stakeholders.
- The Controller becomes a trusted business partner who proactively identifies challenges, recommends solutions, and supports the continued success of the company.
The successful candidate will combine a strong financial foundation with operational curiosity, building an understanding of what drives the business and turning financial information into practical insights that support growth, profitability, and informed decision-making.
Compensation will be commensurate of the successful candidate’s education, knowledge and experience pertaining to the role; however, it is expected that the salary range will be between $90,000 - $140,000 annually.
Qualified applicants are asked to submit a resume and cover letter via email citing “Controller – Valoroso Foods Inc.” in the subject line.
We appreciate all expressed interest in this position; however, only the candidates selected for interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.
We encourage and consider applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, country of origin, disability, or those of other minority groups. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority.
Pay: $90,000.00-$140,000.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Kelowna, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
