What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Controller position at Kerry?
About Kerry
About the role
As Plant Controller, you will provide financial leadership and strategic support to drive operational excellence and profitable growth. You will partner closely with the Plant Manager and Operations Finance Director to influence decisions, optimize performance, and identify opportunities to improve productivity, cost efficiency, and financial results.
This position offers exposure to plant operations, commercial decision-making, capital investment planning, business strategy, and leadership development within a fast-paced, results-driven manufacturing environment.
Key responsibilities
Strategic Business Partner
- Partner with plant leadership to drive ownership and accountability for financial and operational performance.
- Support business strategy by identifying opportunities to improve profitability, productivity, working capital, and cash flow.
- Influence decision-making through financial analysis, scenario modeling, and actionable recommendations.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to site and business leadership teams.
Financial Leadership & Performance Management
- Lead monthly financial close activities, including accruals, balance sheet management, reconciliations, and period-end reporting.
- Prepare and present financial scorecards, variance analysis, and operational performance metrics to plant and business unit leadership.
- Deliver daily, weekly, and monthly reporting with clear recommendations and corrective actions.
- Partner with the Plant Manager during monthly operating reviews and strategic planning discussions.
Cost & Operational Excellence
- Analyze manufacturing costs across labor, materials, equipment, overhead, indirect spend, and inventory.
- Identify and help lead cost reduction, productivity, and process improvement initiatives.
- Validate production costs, inventory valuation, standard costing, and manufacturing variances.
- Participate in Gemba walks and continuous improvement activities to strengthen operational performance.
Planning, Forecasting & Capital Management
- Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes for the site.
- Support capital investment analysis and provide financial justification for site projects.
- Monitor capital project performance and help ensure effective asset utilization.
- Evaluate business opportunities and operational risks to support long-term site and network performance.
Controls, Compliance & Plant Processes
- Ensure strong internal controls and compliance with company policies.
- Support inventory accuracy through cycle counting, inventory control, and obsolescence processes.
- Oversee critical plant processes supporting vendor payments, customer billing, risk management, and financial governance.
- Partner with internal and external auditors as needed and implement Kerry best practices.
Qualifications and skills
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- Strong foundation in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience working with ERP systems such as SAP.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven manufacturing environment.
Preferred
- CPA, CMA, or similar professional certification.
- Experience in manufacturing, operations finance, plant controlling, or cost accounting.
- Experience within food, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, or consumer products industries.
- Knowledge of standard costing, inventory management, fixed assets, and capital project evaluation.
- Prior leadership experience leading teams or cross-functional initiatives.
Compensation Data
The pay range for this position is $88,100 - $144,800 in Annual Salary. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition, this position is also eligible to earn a performance-based incentive compensation. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement. This job posting is anticipated to expire on September 17th, 2026.
We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.
Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).
Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.
Recruiter:
Posting Type: DNI
Nearest Major Market: Wausau
Benefits:
Vacation & Paid Time Off, Health Insurance, 401K PlanSalary : $88,100 - $144,800