What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Controller - Manufacturing position at Gables Search Group?
We are recruiting on behalf of a global automotive manufacturing client to identify an experienced Plant Controller for their facility in Northwest Ohio. This is a fully on-site, hands-on finance leadership role requiring close collaboration with plant operations. The facility is commutable from the Toledo area.
Key Responsibilities
This role is embedded in plant operations and requires a Controller who understands manufacturing cost drivers, inventory movement, absorption, and operational KPIs—not just financial reporting. You will play a key role in driving operational efficiency, cost control, and overall plant performance.
Additional Details
Key Responsibilities
- Provide full financial leadership for the manufacturing facility
- Oversee standard costing, product costing, and bill of materials (BOM) analysis
- Analyze and manage labor and overhead absorption
- Lead inventory control, including cycle counts and physical inventory processes
- Conduct detailed manufacturing variance analysis (labor, material, overhead, scrap)
- Support capacity planning and operational financial modeling
- Manage month-end close activities within a plant environment
- Develop and maintain budgets and rolling forecasts aligned to production volumes
- Ensure compliance with audit requirements and SOX/internal controls
- Supervise and develop the on-site accounting team (Sr. Accountant and Accounting Clerk)
- Actively contribute as a member of the Plant Leadership Team
- Bachelors Degree Accounting/Finance
- 5 years of experience in manufacturing finance or a Plant Controller role
- Deep expertise in standard cost accounting in a production environment
- Proven experience supporting plant operations, including production, engineering, and supply chain
- Hands-on experience with ERP systems in a manufacturing setting
- Prior leadership or supervisory experience
- Current or recent experience working in a manufacturing plant
- Automotive industry experience, ideally within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier
- Experience in high-volume, multi-SKU manufacturing environments
- Strong background in capacity modeling and operational KPI analysis
- CPA or advanced degree preferred
This role is embedded in plant operations and requires a Controller who understands manufacturing cost drivers, inventory movement, absorption, and operational KPIs—not just financial reporting. You will play a key role in driving operational efficiency, cost control, and overall plant performance.
Additional Details
- Fully on-site position
- Commutable from the Toledo area