Brand Controller, melin (Tradewind Services)

Who We Are:

Archipelago Companies, a portfolio of highly successful consumer lifestyle brands, is seeking a talented and passionate individual with an entrepreneurial mindset to join our team. Our brands, including OluKai, melin, Roark, and Tradewind Services are leaders in their respective markets, offering high-quality products and authentic marketing stories direct to consumers. At Archipelago Companies, we pride ourselves on our commitment to integrity, and we strive to create a culture of excellence in everything we do. If you are a driven and innovative individual with a passion for consumer brands, we invite you to apply for our open position and become a part of our dynamic and growing team.

About the Role:

The Tradewind Services Brand Controller owns the accounting function for melin, serving as the brand's dedicated accounting lead within the broader Tradewind Services accounting organization. Reporting into the Corporate Controller, this role ensures the brand's books are accurate, its close is timely, and its financial reporting rolls up cleanly into Tradewind Services' consolidated results. This is a solid-line accounting role: the Brand Controller works closely with brand leadership on financial matters as a business partner, but reports through, and is accountable to, the corporate accounting organization rather than into the brand. In addition to the responsibilities outlined below, this role may also be asked to provide support on other accounting responsibilities across Tradewind Services as needed, including assisting with various activities during the broader close process.

Key responsibilities in the following areas include (but are not limited to):

Financial Reporting & Close:

• Own the preparation of the brand's financial statements and reporting packages, ensuring accurate and timely roll-up into Tradewind Services' consolidated financials.
• Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and close schedules prepared by the brand's accounting team.
• Manage the brand's monthly, quarterly, and annual close calendar, ensuring deadlines align with the corporate close timeline.
• Prepare brand-level financial reporting packages for the Corporate Controller and brand leadership.

Technical Accounting & Policy:

• Research and document brand-specific technical accounting matters (revenue recognition, leases, inventory, etc.) and escalate to the Corporate Controller for company-wide policy alignment.
• Apply and enforce company-wide accounting policies and procedures within the brand.
• Evaluate the accounting impact of brand-specific transactions, contracts, and business initiatives.
• Monitor emerging accounting standards relevant to the brand and support company-wide implementation efforts led by Corporate Accounting.

Audit, Controls & Risk Management:

• Serve as the brand's primary point of contact for external auditors during quarterly reviews and the annual audit.
• Own the brand's internal controls environment, including design, testing, and remediation.
• Partner with legal on compliance matters affecting financial reporting.
• Manage technical accounting risk specific to the brand, including acquisitions, divestitures, or restructuring affecting the brand.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop the brand's Accounting Managers, Senior Accountants, and Staff Accountants.
• Set team priorities and manage workload across the close calendar.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex accounting questions within the brand.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Process Improvement:

• Partner with FP&A and brand leaders on financial planning, cash management, and reporting needs.
• Drive continuous improvement of close processes, systems, and reporting infrastructure, leveraging AI to drive efficiency and accuracy.
• Support due diligence and integration of new entities, whether as clients or subsidiaries.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA required.
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive accounting experience, including significant time at a major public accounting firm (Big 4 or national firm required).
• Prior experience in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or Senior Accounting Manager role, ideally within a multi-entity or multi-brand organization.
• Intercompany and international accounting experience, including intercompany reconciliations, transfer pricing, foreign currency, and consolidation, in support of global brand expansion.
• Deep technical GAAP expertise; demonstrated ability to research and document complex accounting matters.
• Proven experience leading external audit relationships and managing a team.
• ERP systems experience (FullCircle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar) required; experience with ERP transformations strongly preferred.
• Experience with reporting/consolidation tools (Domo, Adaptive Insights) a plus.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills; ability to operate in a fast-paced, PE-backed, multi-brand environment.
• High standards of excellence, for work product (timeliness, completeness, accuracy, simplicity, etc.), relationships (respect, care, thoughtfulness, etc.), and overall impact on work environment, with an orientation towards continual improvement.
• Actively seeks out AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies, adapting quickly to leverage them for improved productivity, deeper insights, and more effective processes, while exercising sound judgment and maintaining compliance with organizational standards

Location & Office Structure: This is an in-office hybrid position, mandatory 4 days per week in office in Irvine, CA (with visits to San Clemente, CA occasionally) with the option to work from home 1 day per week.  Subject to change without notice as per company guidelines.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $150,000 to $170,000 plus opportunity for annual bonus; salary is based on the experience that you bring to the position.

 Benefits and Perks:

• Complimentary chef prepared breakfast and lunch provided Monday - Thursday
• Generous product gift program and all brand discounts
• Company bonus program
• 5 year and 10 year Milestone Anniversary travel gifts
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance in accordance with plan guidelines
• Company paid life insurance in accordance with plan guidelines
• 401k with employer match in accordance with plan guidelines
• 15 Days of PTO accrued annually, plus one additional day of PTO every year on your anniversary, and 3 Floating Holidays per year
• Paid beach and giveback days, bi-annual team building events and other in-person celebrations
• Work with talented and great people who share a love for premium lifestyle brands
• Dog friendly office

Archipelago Companies values a diverse, inclusive, and entrepreneurial workforce and culture, and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at hr@arch-cos.com. Archipelago will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.