What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Controller / Manufacturing Finance Leader position at Parcc Associates?
About the Opportunity
A growing manufacturing organization is seeking a hands-on Plant Controller to lead finance for a dynamic operation in the Chattanooga area. This is a high-impact leadership role for a finance professional who brings deep manufacturing costing expertise, strong operational partnership, and the ability to turn financial data into business decisions.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a plant environment, understands the drivers of operational performance, and can partner closely with plant leadership to improve profitability, cost discipline, and decision-making.
What You’ll Own
- Lead all plant finance and accounting activities, including month-end close, forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting
- Drive accuracy and insight across standard costing, inventory, labor, overhead, variance analysis, and cost controls
- Partner with operations leadership to improve plant performance, productivity, margins, and working capital
- Analyze manufacturing results and provide actionable recommendations around scrap, labor efficiency, absorption, inventory, and overall cost performance
- Support pricing, margin analysis, capital spending, and operational decision-making with clear financial insight
- Own annual budgeting and forecasting processes for the site, including operational assumptions and cost planning
- Ensure strong internal controls, compliance, and audit readiness
- Lead and develop the accounting/finance team at the plant level
- Oversee AP, payroll, inventory-related accounting, and site-level financial processes
- Prepare and present clear financial performance updates to leadership
What We’re Looking For
- Strong experience in manufacturing finance, plant controlling, or cost accounting
- Proven background in standard costing, BOMs/routings, inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysis
- Strong operational finance mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally with plant leadership
- Experience supporting a fast-paced manufacturing environment and influencing decisions beyond the accounting function
- Strong financial planning, reporting, and analysis skills
- Leadership experience managing or mentoring accounting/finance staff
- Advanced Excel skills and comfort working with ERP systems
- CPA, CMA, or similar credentials are a plus
Preferred Background
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- Several years of progressive experience in a manufacturing accounting or operations finance environment
- Experience in plant-level finance leadership strongly preferred
Why This Role Stands Out
This is more than a traditional controller position. It’s an opportunity to be a strategic business partner to plant leadership, influence operational results, and play a visible role in improving financial and manufacturing performance.