Plant Controller

The Plant Controller serves as the senior financial leader for a manufacturing facility, responsible for overseeing all accounting, cost accounting, inventory control, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and operational finance activities. This position partners closely with the Plant Manager and leadership team to drive profitability, improve operational performance, maintain financial integrity, and support strategic decision-making. The Plant Controller acts as a key member of the plant leadership team and provides financial guidance to optimize manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Lead all plant accounting and finance activities.
• Prepare and analyze monthly financial statements, forecasts, and operational reports.
• Ensure timely and accurate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Maintain compliance with GAAP, corporate policies, and internal controls.
• Support internal and external audits.

Cost Accounting & Inventory Management

• Oversee standard costing and product costing methodologies.
• Analyze manufacturing variances including labor, material, overhead, scrap, and production efficiencies.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation for raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Manage physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• Monitor inventory reserves, obsolescence, and inventory turnover.

Operational Finance

• Partner with the Plant Manager and department leaders to drive operational performance.
• Analyze plant KPIs and identify opportunities for cost reduction and productivity improvements.
• Monitor:
• Labor efficiency
• Material usage
• Scrap rates
• Yield performance
• OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
• Manufacturing variances
• Gross margin performance
• Provide recommendations to improve profitability and operational effectiveness.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead annual operating plans, budgets, and monthly forecasts.
• Develop financial models and scenario analyses.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and forecast.
• Support capital expenditure planning and ROI analysis.
• Drive accountability for plant financial results.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain a strong control environment.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and accounting procedures.
• Support SOX compliance and audit requirements, where applicable.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop plant accounting and finance staff.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with corporate finance, operations, supply chain, engineering, and HR teams.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA strongly preferred.

Experience

• 7 years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• 5 years of manufacturing accounting and cost accounting experience.
• Prior leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in:
• Cost Accounting
• Inventory Accounting
• Financial Reporting
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Manufacturing Operations Finance
• Internal Controls