Plant Controller II

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world.

At our Visalia plant, equipped with the largest single evaporator-dryer in North America, we manufacture milk powder, butter, and AMF.

We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

 We offer a generous total rewards package that includes: 

• Salary Range  - $94,033 - $141,693
• Family medical/dental/vision
• Generous company contributions to 401k
• Relocation Assistance
• 11 Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Tuition reimbursement

Job Summary

The Plant Controller II is the lead financial position at a production facility for California Dairies, Inc. This position is responsible for all the accounting activities at the plant. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, timely and accurate recording of daily production of all finished goods product lines, ensuring accurate inventories of finished goods, recording of daily receipts of milk and other fluid dairy products, recording of daily sales and transfers of all fluid dairy products, and KPI reporting. Additional responsibilities will include annual budgeting, production forecasting, bills of materials analysis, financial variance analysis, and cost accounting. The Plant Controller II reports to the Group Controller – Operations and has direct supervisory responsibility for a staff at the facility. 

Essential Functions

General Ledger Oversight 

• Demonstrate extensive expertise in managing the general ledger, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of financial data. 
• Lead timely preparation, analysis, and posting of journal entries, ensuring a lignment with accounting standards and corporate policies. 
• Lead comprehensive account reconciliations and execute all aspects of the month-end and year-end closing processes with precision and adherence to accounting standards. 

Cost Accounting 

• Provide proficient leadership in product costing, developing, maintaining, and rigorously analyzing standard costs across all product lines.
• Conduct thorough evaluations of bills of materials (BOMs), validating the accuracy of ingredient and packaging formulas to ensure full alignment with operational efficiencies and production standards.
• Identify/lead continuous improvement initiatives and drive enhanced transparency in cost accounting processes to support margin optimization.
• Analyze any changes in goods or services provided to determine what effect it has on the cost.
• Analyze manufacturing costs and prepare regular reports comparing standard costs to actual production costs.

Budgeting & Forecasting 

• Collaborate closely with the Group Controller to develop the annual budget and prepare detailed, data-informed financial forecasts.
• Deliver actionable financial planning insights to support operational strategy and long-term growth initiatives.
• Stay current with market trends that could impact costs and budgets.
• Ensure plant-level financial plans are aligned with corporate objectives and performance metrics.

Performance Reporting & Operational Analysis 

• Lead the preparation and presentation of comprehensive weekly and monthly performance reports and provide deep insights into plant operations.
• Drive detailed reporting on yield performance, labor, maintenance spend, utilities, volume/mix impacts, and other key components of the plant financial results.
• Conduct in-depth variance analysis and root cause assessments, identifying key performance drivers and recommending strategic corrective actions.
• Engage with cross-functional teams to communicate solution-oriented insights, optimizing operational efficiency and driving superior financial performance outcomes.

Internal Controls 

• Actively support the evaluation, design, and continuous improvement of internal control processes in accordance with financial compliance standards.
• Collaborate with Group Controller and demonstrate proficient ability to strengthen internal governance, reduce financial risk exposure, and maintain the integrity and transparency of all financial reporting activities.

Perform other duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

Supervise and support a small finance/accounting team (1-2 employees), providing guidance, task delegation, career development, and performance feedback to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Skills and Abilities 

• Experience leading and developing a team of people responsible for accounting activities.
• Excellent data analysis skills with a focus on problem solving.
• Strong computer skills, specifically in Excel and Microsoft Dynamics365.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to delegate effectively.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and work with employees at all levels of the organization as well as our member/owners and external stakeholders.
• Perform tasks with a high level of confidentiality.
• Flexible and positive in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting or Finance
• 5 – 7 years of manufacturing Accounting experience (Dairy Industry preferred).
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Previous experience in standard cost development preferred.
• Previous expense in sales pricing preferred.
• Knowledge of GAAP and internal controls.

Reasoning Ability 

Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions given in written, oral, or diagram form. Must have the ability to discern when issues may require input from levels of authority within the corporation.

Equipment 

Computer, copiers, calculator and other basic office equipment.

Work Environment 

Basic office environment, regularly walk through plant production environment. 

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ADA/FEHA 

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO 

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Salary : $94,033 - $141,693