North American Controller

POSITON SUMMARY/PURPOSE:

Oversee finance operations for assigned manufacturing facilities, including responsibility for two North American plants. Direct and coordinate month-end close, financial reporting, and budget management activities. Partner with plant leadership to support informed decision-making, improve operational performance, and identify cost optimization opportunities. Lead cost accounting activities, including standard cost development, variance analysis, and inventory valuation. Collaborate across divisions to ensure alignment to established financial practices and standards. Support the consistent application of financial processes, reporting, and controls across facilities while maintaining accuracy and compliance. Direct and develop assigned staff to ensure strong financial performance, effective controls, and a high-performing finance function supporting North American Operations.

 POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

• Oversee finance operations for assigned plants, including month-end close activities (journal entries, account recs, monthly check lists, etc), and support multi‑plant financial management across North America
• Direct financial planning, forecasting, and reporting for plant operations.
• Lead cost accounting including product costing, inventory valuation, standard cost development, and variance analysis.
• Partner with local operational leadership to support informed decision‑making and operational performance improvements (examples:  operational lean, inventory reduction and cost of quality initiatives)
• Monitor and analyze monthly operating results against budget and forecast, variance tracking and root cause analysis and recommendations for improvement.
• Collaborate with multiple business units/divisions to provide financial expertise and ensure alignment of financial practices.
• Ensure strong financial controls and compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements
• Manage and coach finance staff while driving standardized finance team structure across plants
• Lead financial audits and continuous improvement initiatives in financial and operational processes, other duties and projects as assigned

JOB KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Knowledge of federal and state financial regulations.
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports statements and projections.  Working knowledge of short- and long-term budgeting and forecasting.
• Work requires professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.  Ability to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects. Ability to participate in and facilitate group meetings and influence key stakeholders.
• Knowledge of cost accounting within a manufacturing environment, including hands-on experience establishing and maintaining standard costs (BOMs, routings, labor/overhead rates) and analyzing cost variances. Experience supporting plant leadership and operational teams in financial decision-making. Ability to standardize financial processes and reporting across multiple facilities. Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations and cross-functional business units.

 PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of ten years of professional accounting experience in manufacturing industry, in multi-product sites. Cost accounting experience is required, including direct experience developing and maintaining standard costs in a manufacturing/multi-product environment. Prior experience building and managing a team is required.

 EDUCATIONAL AND/OR TRAINIG REQUIREMENT

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.