Controller

Scope of Position

Our client is seeking a Plant Controller who will report directly to the Regional Controller and is responsible for all financial functions at the company's plant location, including financial reporting, cost analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and operational support.

This role is structured around three primary focus areas: Insight, Control, and Planning & Reporting.

Responsibilities

Insight

• Identify key performance metrics impacting conversion costs and partner with operations to drive cost reduction initiatives
• Analyze plant conversion costs and productivity to support continuous operational improvement, including full participation in A3 processes and reporting
• Provide financial leadership for capital management, including preparation and evaluation of AFEs (cost savings and maintenance projects)
• Leverage forecast data to guide plant decision-making related to spending, staffing, and operational structure
• Serve as a key contributor to plant leadership initiatives across safety, quality, and performance improvement
• Evaluate plant profitability at the SKU and mold level to identify optimization opportunities
• Educate and train plant staff on financial performance, cost tracking, and operational drivers
• Provide cross-functional support to plant leadership as needed, including temporary coverage during vacancies

Control

• Support internal and external audit processes
• Monitor and maintain accuracy of standard costing
• Assist in managing physical inventory audits and processes
• Ensure compliance with internal financial controls, operational procedures, and SOX requirements (Building Blocks)
• Drive inventory control initiatives, including:
• Reducing count variances
• Managing slow-moving and obsolete inventory
• Ensuring FIFO compliance
• Coordinating annual physical inventory
• Maintain and control fixed asset records, including annual asset audits

Planning & Reporting

• Lead the monthly financial close process for the plant
• Serve as scorekeeper for daily labor and variable spend tracking, ensuring teams have tools and training to manage performance
• Partner with plant leadership to develop:
• Annual operating budgets
• Monthly forecasts
• Full-year financial projections
• Analyze monthly operating results and communicate variances to plant leadership and executive teams
• Provide day-to-day financial and operational support to plant teams
• Perform detailed manufacturing variance analysis
• Develop and maintain plant standard costing
• Review and approve product standard costs for accuracy and operational alignment
• Support management with financial analysis and special projects as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (Accounting, Finance, or Business preferred)
• 3–5 years of accounting or finance experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel required)
• Experience with SAP, Business Warehouse (BW), and HFM preferred
• Excellent analytical and data manipulation skills
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to identifying solutions
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to collaborate across functions and influence decision-making