Plant Controller

About the Role

As the Finance Business Partner on the Plant Leadership Team, this role works collaboratively with the members of the Plant leadership team and actively influences plant-level decision making to enable continued success. The controller provides financial guidance, direction, and analytical support for assigned functional areas and all corresponding departments within the Dalton, GA, and Greenville, SC plants.

This position coordinates the development of conversion cost, capital, and headcount budgets and forecasts for assigned areas. The controller provides comprehensive financial support, including monthly performance reports, financial analysis, expense variance review, recommendations for corrective actions, and special projects as required. This role ensures adherence to internal control and compliance with financial policies and procedures.

Position is located in Wauwatosa, WI, Greenville, SC, Dalton, GA, or Radnor, PA, with responsibilities for the Dalton, GA, and Greenville, SC plants. Dual reporting to the C&C North America Finance Director with a matrix line to the C&C USA Industrial Director.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial guidance, direction, and analytical support for plant conversion costs, including monitoring and controlling spend to ensure financial goals are met (headcount, total spend, cost per ton).
• Review and understand actual and standard costing for the site, including cost estimate calculations, Bill of Materials (BOM) reviews, and Material Usage Variance (MUV) analysis.
• Analyze and communicate product cost variances, including Purchase Price Variance, Scrap, and MUV. Track and report under/over absorption at production work centers.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation by reviewing and approving finished goods product Weighted Average Cost (WAC), monitoring cycle counts/physical inventories, and managing inventory provisions.
• Control and detect variances in financial statements regarding budget, Group Reporting Manual, IFRS, and US GAAP, requesting corrective manual entries as needed.
• Work closely with the fixed asset accountant to review fixed-asset inventories, perform fixed asset inventories per Bostik Policy, and ensure proper identification and disposal of assets.
• Provide timely communication to BU leaders during month-end close in accordance with the reporting schedule.
• Coordinate the plant budget process, including preparing costing data for the next year, compiling the annual conversion cost budget, and analyzing yearly conversion cost evolution.
• Communicate site financial results through monthly financial reports to Finance Managers (BU and Corporate).
• Support year-end audit requirements for plant financials with external/internal auditors.
• Lead training and development of local manufacturing staff on accounting principles, internal controls, financial statement analysis, cost analysis, and inventory control.

Requirements

• B.S. or B.A. in Accounting or Finance with at least 3 years of experience in an industrial or public accounting environment.
• Practice safe work habits in accordance with OSHA, EPA guidelines, and Bostik-specific EHS expectations.
• ERP experience (SAP preferred) and knowledge of metrics/KPIs.
• Demonstrated competency in spreadsheets and accounting systems for analysis and financial modeling.
• Strong relationship-building skills, analytical insight, organizational skills, reactivity, and the ability to see the whole picture.
• Analytical capacity to proactively detect drifts.

Schedule

Approximately 25% travel required.

Context and Environment

Allocation of time: 45% Dalton, GA, 45% Greenville, SC, and 10% BU initiatives. Responsible for approximately 121 employees across the two plants. Must ensure proper application of Group Reporting Manual rules, Core Model processes, ARKEMA Internal Control policy, and adherence to closing deadlines.