Manufacturing Plant Controller

About the role

The Plant Controller plays a pivotal role in ensuring the financial health and operational efficiency of the plant. They oversee various financial aspects including inventory control, overhead management, and support the site's productivity agenda. The ideal candidate will possess strong financial acumen and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis of material, labor, overhead, yield, usage, waste, downtime, and other manufacturing cost drivers.
• Ensure significant variances are addressed in a practical, action-oriented way: identify what happened, why it happened, whether it is timing or true performance, and determine next steps.
• Work with Operations and other functions to identify root causes, quantify losses, and drive corrective actions.
• Help manage overhead costs and protect the plant’s cost structure by challenging spending and identifying waste without compromising food safety, quality, service, maintenance, or inventory accuracy.
• Spend time in the plant to develop a practical understanding of production, warehouse, inventory, and support processes.
• Bring constructive, solution-oriented input to meetings and help teams stay focused on required decisions or outcomes.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects from problem identification to root cause, action plan, and measurable results.
• Monitor cycle counts to ensure accuracy of inventory records and reconcile discrepancies.
• Assist with building the annual budget, reforecast results as needed, and lead monthly department spend meetings to explain actuals vs. budget across overhead expense categories.
• Build financial acumen across the site by training and developing employees at all levels.
• Contribute to the site leadership team beyond the Finance agenda, lead cross-functional projects, and take on additional responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in Finance, preferably including experience as a Site/Plant Controller.
• Experience in Food industry preferred.
• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in Business or related discipline.

Skills

• Proven ability to build financial plans and deliver insight through analysis.
• Commitment to financial controls.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Drive to make a difference and collaborate across sites.
• Superior Excel skills and ability to learn new systems.
• Ability to multi-task, make quick decisions, and work under short timelines.
• Creative problem-solving skills.
• Courage and curiosity.