What are the responsibilities and job description for the Controller - Operations position at API Heat Transfer?
As a global leader in the design and manufacture of a wide range of specialty heat exchangers and heat transfer solutions, API Heat Transfer has a legacy of industry-leading performance that can be traced back more than 140 years. Throughout our history, we’ve built a corporate culture based on reliability and superior performance - from our innovative technologies to the people behind them. Experience has taught us that design and engineering expertise, supported by professionals who have a passion for their work, can bring about only one result: the ability to provide the right solutions for our customers.
Title: Plant Controller
Location: Franklin, WI
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Dotted Line: Senior Vice President & General Manager
Direct Reports: Assistant Controller and Accounting Assistant (2)
Position Summary
The Plant Controller is a key financial leader at the Franklin, WI manufacturing facility, responsible for overseeing all plant-level accounting, financial reporting, cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls. This role partners closely with plant leadership and corporate finance to drive financial performance, support operational decision-making, and ensure compliance with company policies and GAAP.
The Plant Controller operates as a trusted business partner to the Sr. VP & General Manager while maintaining strong alignment with corporate financial strategy and reporting requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Business Partnership
Education & Experience
Title: Plant Controller
Location: Franklin, WI
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Dotted Line: Senior Vice President & General Manager
Direct Reports: Assistant Controller and Accounting Assistant (2)
Position Summary
The Plant Controller is a key financial leader at the Franklin, WI manufacturing facility, responsible for overseeing all plant-level accounting, financial reporting, cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls. This role partners closely with plant leadership and corporate finance to drive financial performance, support operational decision-making, and ensure compliance with company policies and GAAP.
The Plant Controller operates as a trusted business partner to the Sr. VP & General Manager while maintaining strong alignment with corporate financial strategy and reporting requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Business Partnership
- Serve as the primary financial advisor to plant leadership, providing insight into operational performance, cost drivers, and improvement opportunities.
- Partner with the Sr. VP & General Manager to support strategic initiatives, capital investment analysis, and profitability improvement efforts.
- Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders.
- Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes for the Franklin facility, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
- Prepare and analyze plant P&L statements, balance sheets, and variance reports versus budget and forecast.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal accounting policies, and corporate reporting requirements.
- Lead all cost accounting activities, including standard cost development, maintenance, and variances (labor, material, overhead).
- Analyze manufacturing efficiencies, scrap, rework, inventory turns, and absorption to support continuous improvement.
- Oversee inventory valuation, cycle counts, physical inventories, and related reconciliations.
- Lead the annual operating budget and ongoing forecast processes for the plant.
- Monitor and report on key financial and operational KPIs, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Provide financial modeling and scenario analysis to support operational decisions and capital projects.
- Maintain strong internal controls over financial processes, inventory, and fixed assets.
- Support internal and external audits, ensuring timely responses and corrective action where needed.
- Ensure compliance with corporate policies, SOX/internal control standards (as applicable), and regulatory requirements.
- Review and analyze capital expenditure requests; track capital project spending and ROI.
- Directly manage, coach, and develop the Assistant Controller and Accounting Assistant.
- Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the finance function.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA or CMA strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including significant experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Prior experience as a Plant Controller or senior manufacturing finance leader strongly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of cost accounting, standard costing, inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysis.
- Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel skills; experience with manufacturing ERP systems preferred.
- Strong understanding of GAAP and internal controls.
- Proven ability to partner with operations and influence decision-making through data-driven insight.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and manage competing priorities.
- Primarily office-based within a manufacturing facility; regular presence on the shop floor required.
- Occasional travel to corporate offices or other facilities as needed.