Cost Controller / Plant Controller

Purpose of Position

Reporting directly to the Vice President, Controlling, the Plant Controller/Senior Cost Accountant for vaRS Nortrak’s facility located in Chicago Heights, IL, is responsible to perform and lead a variety of financial management and reporting responsibilities. You will work directly with the Plant Manager and report to the company’s VP, Controlling.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Safety:
• Complies with all Nortrak safety policies and regulations.
• Financial Management and Reporting:
• Complete month-end procedures and prepare internal management reports.
• Analyze profitability by product, project, and customer.
• Lead monthly financial reviews with the CFO, VP Controlling, Plant Manager, and other departments.
• Support process improvement initiatives and assist with cost saving plans.
• Perform profitability and cost analyses for a variety of projects, investments, and products.
• Aid decision making at a plant level with regular and ad-hoc analyses.
• Prepare internal budgets and monitor actual results against budget.
• Prepare quarterly revenue forecasts in collaboration with the production team.
• Work closely with Purchasing, HR, and Sales to optimize cost, pricing and overhead.
• Inventory and costing:
• Manage product costing in SAP and review standard costs monthly.
• Review and reconcile labor reports and analyze actuals vs production benchmarks.
• Maintain inventory costing, balance, and movement.
• Collaborate with Production Team in managing inventory counts and various operations.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve costing and labor variances with different groups.
• Other:
• Maintain compliance with internal policies at the plant level.
• Monitor and address vendor invoices and classify them.
• Resolve sales order issues with Sales and Account Managers.
• Support plant team with analytical and financial tasks.
• Ensure all costing is current, accurate, and complete. Continuously verify estimated costs against actuals.
• Manage deadlines and prioritize bids based on complexity, priority, and risks.
• Cost:
• Maintain knowledge of state-of-the-art practices. Identify and recommend cost-effective material, design, and process options.
• Liaise with sub-trades for quotations and analyze quotes compared to historical data.
• Use financial and non-financial data to make informed assumptions for costing.
• People:
• Build and nurture healthy working relationships with a wide range of employees.
• Take interest and ownership of your responsibilities.
• Participate and engage in different initiatives as needed.
• Actively participate in production meetings to gain an understanding of products and manufacturing procedures.
• Perform peer-review on other estimators' work and provide feedback.
• Eager to improve and support other estimators.
• Maintain and collaborate a good working relationship with other functions and divisions.

Environmental

Adhere to Nortrak's Environmental Procedures, Practices and Policies.

Qualifications

Education

• Undergraduate Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance or equivalent – CPA or CMA is an asset.
• Minimum of 3+ years of accounting experience, ideally in manufacturing – exposure to foundry is an asset.

Experience

• Experience with financial planning and analysis
• Understanding of cost accounting methodologies
• Ability to analyze financial and non-financial data and be able to clearly articulate opportunities for improvement and/or risk areas.
• Advanced Excel, Word, and Power Point skills
• Experience with ERP systems – ideally SAP
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills combined with sound professional judgement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Demands When At Manufacturing Facilities

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; occasional standing and walking for your scheduled shift.
• Must remain stationary for extended periods and move throughout the building to access files.
• Must work effectively in a noisy environment.
• Ability to lift and move equipment or objects up to 20-25 pounds occasionally.
• Visual requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasional travel required, involving walking, standing, sitting, and driving for varying durations.
• Frequent use of hands and arms for dialing phones and using a computer mouse.

What We Offer

• Benefits:
• A supportive, family-oriented Nortrak Blue culture
• We provide an environment where Health and Safety is our #1 priority.
• Career development opportunities and competitive pay progression
• Competitive medical, dental & vision benefits
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Salary:
• $70,000/year - $100,000/year
• Retailment plan with matching contributions
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Recognition Programs

Contact & Application

If you think you have the necessary qualifications and drive to excel in our team, we invite you to apply now and join us at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak. Apply today!

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, and any other federal, state, or locally protected classifications.

Thank you and best regards,

Carolyn Wong

Talent Acquisition Specialist

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak

5500 Parkwood Way

- Richmond, BC, V6V2M4

Direct: (604) 231-3559

Mobile: (307) 214-0398

Fax: (604) 273-8927

Email: carolyn.wong@voestalpine.com