Assistant Plant Controller

About the role

The Assistant Plant Controller plays a key leadership role in the financial management of Tenneco’s Burlington, IA and Cambridge, OH manufacturing facilities. This position supports the Plant Controllers in establishing and maintaining accurate standard costs, budgets, and financial forecasts across both sites. The role is responsible for driving financial integrity, ensuring compliance with corporate financial policies, and providing actionable insights that enable plant management to make informed operational decisions.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, analyze, and distribute accurate financial reports including income statements, balance sheets, and operational performance summaries for both Burlington, IA and Cambridge, OH plants.

• Lead month-end and year-end close processes, including generating inventory entries, reconciling accounts, and performing variance analysis.

• Develop and present financial commentary to plant leadership, translating complex data into actionable business insights.

• Prepare statistical and management reports as required to support business decisions and operational planning.

• Provide timely and accurate sales reports and support ad hoc financial analysis requests from plant and corporate management.

• Establish, maintain, and update realistic standard costs for both manufacturing sites in accordance with corporate guidelines.

• Analyze manufacturing variances (material, labor, overhead) and partner with operations to identify root causes and corrective actions.

• Support annual cost roll and standard cost revision processes, ensuring accuracy and alignment with operational realities.

• Conduct inventory valuation, cycle count reconciliation, and fixed asset administration.

• Aid in the development, preparation, and monitoring of annual operating budgets and capital expenditure plans for both plant locations.

• Prepare monthly financial forecasts and rolling projections, identifying risks and opportunities to plant and corporate management.

• Support long-range financial planning initiatives and special studies as directed by the Plant Controller or corporate finance.

• Ensure both Burlington and Cambridge facilities are in compliance with all financial controls, FM policies, and corporate financial policy requirements.

• Assist with SOX documentation, testing, and remediation activities at both sites.

• Support internal and external audit activities, providing requested documentation and analysis in a timely manner.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls and recommend process improvements.

• Oversee and support accounts receivable and accounts payable functions, ensuring accurate and timely processing.

• Perform general ledger maintenance including posting, summarizing, reconciling, and auditing of accounting records.

• Assist with the implementation and optimization of manufacturing and accounting systems (SAP, Plex, or equivalent ERP).

• Manage fixed asset records, including additions, disposals, and depreciation tracking for both plant locations.

• Provide financial support and on-site presence at both Burlington, IA and Cambridge, OH manufacturing facilities, with travel between locations as business needs dictate.

• Serve as a financial business partner to plant operations leadership, supporting data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Coach and develop accounting staff at both sites, fostering a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous learning.

• Support Plant Controller in cross-site financial projects, system implementations, and process standardization efforts.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related business field required.

• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.

• 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.

• Prior experience in a plant controller, assistant plant controller, or senior cost accountant role preferred.

• Experience with SAP, Plex, or similar ERP systems strongly preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced data analysis and modeling.