Plant Controller

Overview

Special Metals Corp We are seeking a hands-on, proactive Plant Controller to lead the plant accounting and finance function for Special Metals – New Hartford and serve as a key member of the site leadership team. This role is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial statements, strengthening internal controls, driving cost savings, and leading the annual budget and forecasting process in a global, multi-site manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all plant accounting and controlling activities, partnering with the Plant Manager and site leadership to drive operational and financial performance.
• Own the monthly close for the plant: ensure timely, accurate results; maintain the integrity of the P&L and balance sheet (reconciliations, accruals, reserves/provisions).
• Maintain a robust cost accounting environment, including product costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing variances, cost standards, and margin analysis.
• Drive cost reduction and productivity initiatives by identifying savings opportunities and implementing process improvements with cross-functional teams.
• Lead the plant’s annual budget process and ongoing forecasting, including labor and overhead planning, sales/volume assumptions, and expense control.
• Prepare and present monthly/quarterly operating reviews, KPIs, and financial narratives for division and corporate leadership; support on-site reviews as needed.
• Strengthen and maintain the plant’s internal controls and ensure SOX 404 compliance; coordinate internal/external audit activities and remediation plans.
• Review and approve capital expenditure requests, track capital spend, and validate financial returns in line with corporate governance.
• Oversee plant-level contract administration, and partner with commercial teams on financial terms and risk considerations.
• Manage credit and collections support: establish customer credit limits (as applicable) and ensure timely collections within payment terms.
• Ensure compliance with local tax calculations and filings (e.g., NYS sales tax, 1099 reporting) and maintain fiduciary responsibility for inventory, assets, and cash (including local banking access).
• Partner with IT and business stakeholders to optimize financial systems and reporting tools, recommending upgrades that improve accuracy, controls, and efficiency.
• Support acquisition integration activities when applicable (due diligence, transitions, opening balance sheet, and financial integration).
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (required)
• MBA and/or CPA (preferred)
• Minimum 10 years of progressive finance experience within manufacturing environments
• Strong knowledge of accounting theory and application of financial principles (GAAP)
• Experience managing financial operations in a global, multi-site environment
• Prior acquisition experience preferred (due diligence, transitions, opening balance sheet, financial integration)
• Working knowledge of IT systems with the ability to recommend enhancements/upgrades to support business needs
  
  

Success Factors / Competencies

• Strong organization and attention to detail
• Technical accounting knowledge and business acumen
• Strategic agility and ability to influence decision-making
• Clear communication and strong interpersonal skills
• Managerial courage and a participative, hands-on leadership style
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Proven ability to build cross-functional partnerships and navigate organizational culture
  
  

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  
  

Why Join Special Metals Corp

• Lead a critical function with direct impact on uptime, safety, and plant performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, and Purchasing to drive reliability improvements.
• Competitive compensation and benefits.
  
  

Special Metals Cop is committed to hiring, promoting and transferring employees without regard to race, religion, color, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, national origin (where a person was born), sex, age, ancestry (ethnic heritage), citizenship, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other reason prohibited by law. Decisions as to hiring, promoting or transferring employees should be based solely upon job-related qualifications.

As an equal opportunity employer, Special Metals Cop is committed to a diverse workforce. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veterans’ Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact 508-839-8004 for assistance.

To comply with U.S. Government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), this position may require applicants to be U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.