Plant Controller - Manufacturing

Plant Controller – Manufacturing

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Plant Controller to lead the financial operations of a complex opto-mechanical defense and imaging manufacturing facility.

This is a hands-on, operations-focused finance leadership role responsible for plant financial integrity, cost accounting, internal controls, inventory, forecasting, and financial analysis. The Plant Controller will partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to connect financial results to actual production performance and provide leadership with accurate, actionable insight.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the accuracy and integrity of the plant's financial reporting, monthly P&L, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Lead cost accounting, including standard costing, BOMs, work orders, labor/overhead, manufacturing variances, and absorption.
• Analyze product-line and program margins and identify the operational drivers behind financial results.
• Oversee accounting and controls related to inventory, WIP, and revenue-cycle activities.
• Develop and enforce strong internal controls and SOX compliance and support internal/external audits.
• Partner with Operations and Manufacturing to distinguish true cost improvements from changes in product mix, volume, or production activity.
• Support inventory and capital forecasting, financial planning, and operational decision-making.
• Use ERP/MES data to investigate variances, identify risks, and provide decision-useful analysis to plant leadership.
• Challenge assumptions and proactively identify financial or operational issues before they become surprises.

Required Qualifications

• 7 years of cost and managerial accounting experience in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience with standard costing, BOMs, work orders, manufacturing variances, absorption, inventory, and plant P&L analysis.
• Demonstrated experience developing and enforcing internal controls and SOX compliance.
• Strong ERP/MES experience and ability to analyze manufacturing data.
• Experience partnering directly with Operations and manufacturing leadership.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.

Preferred

• Experience in defense, aerospace, optics, imaging, precision manufacturing, or other highly engineered manufacturing environments.
• CPA, CMA, or other relevant certification.

Ideal Candidate

We're looking for a manufacturing finance leader who understands what happens on the plant floor—not just what's on the financial statements. The successful candidate will bring strong cost-accounting expertise, sound judgment, rigorous internal controls, and the confidence to ask the hard questions when the numbers don't tell the whole story.