The Manufacturing Plant Controller is the finance leader for the manufacturing facility and serves as a key business partner to plant leadership. This position is responsible for the integrity of plant financial results, manufacturing cost accounting, inventory control, budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis, and internal controls.
The Plant Controller works closely with Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Inventory Control, and Corporate Finance to understand plant performance, identify cost and productivity opportunities, and translate operating results into actionable financial insights. The successful candidate will be comfortable working both in the details of plant accounting and alongside operational leaders on the production floor.
Financial Reporting & Controls
- Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for the plant
- Ensure compliance with US GAAP, company policies, and established internal controls
- Design, implement, and ensure valid operation of internal controls around the completeness, existence, and accuracy of financial information within the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements of the facility.
- Lead the plant's month-end close process and ensure timely and accurate reporting of financial results.
- Review and/or prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and other close-related schedules.
- Maintain effective financial controls around inventory, production reporting, purchasing, and other plant processes.
Cost Accounting & Analysis
- Ensure the accuracy and integrity of raw material, work-in-process, finished goods, and other inventory balances.
- Ensure manufacturing orders and production activity are properly reflected in the financial and ERP systems.
- Manage standard cost systems, including cost roll-ups and updates
- Maintain accurate inventory valuation, standard costing, and variance analysis
- Analyze manufacturing variances (labor, material, overhead) and recommend corrective actions
- Support physical inventories and cycle-count processes and ensure appropriate financial adjustments and controls.
- Monitor production costs, scrap, rework, and efficiency metrics
- Support pricing, margin analysis, and profitability initiatives
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead the annual plant budget and periodic forecasts
- Track actual results versus budget and forecast, explaining key variances
- Partner with operations to develop cost reduction and productivity initiatives
Operational & Strategic Support
- Serve as a financial business partner to plant management and operations teams
- Provide financial insights to support capital investment decisions
- Evaluate ROI for capital projects and continuous improvement initiatives
- Support audits, both internal and external
Leadership & Process Improvement
- Lead, coach, and develop plant accounting personnel, as applicable.
- Continuously improve plant accounting, reporting, forecasting, and control processes.
- Partner with Operations and Finance to improve the quality, timeliness, and usefulness of plant data.
- Support ERP, manufacturing, costing, and reporting-system improvements.
- Promote standardization and adoption of finance best practices across the plant as well as sister plants within the organization
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA or CMA preferred)
- 5+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience in a manufacturing environment
- Strong background in cost accounting and inventory management
Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally
- Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- High attention to detail with a continuous improvement mindset
Working Conditions
- Manufacturing plant environment with regular interaction on the production floor
- Occasional travel may be required