Plant Controller

About the role

The Controller directs, plans, and validates all plant accounting activities to ensure accurate and timely reporting of monthly financial results. This role safeguards the integrity and security of plant inventory and fixed assets, analyzes financial performance, and recommends actions to improve cost, service, and quality.

Responsibilities

• Direct and validate all accounting activities, including labor distribution, inventories, general receipts, scrap, rework, accounts payable, closed order variances, fixed asset transactions, journal entries, and monthly reconciliation of balance sheet accounts.
• Identify and resolve reporting discrepancies and concerns related to personnel, system processing, or plant policies and procedures, ensuring accurate and consistent financial information.
• Analyze monthly plant financial results and initiate cost reduction recommendations in both product and operations, explaining variances and the corrective actions taken to eliminate unfavorable variances or sustain favorable ones.
• Review and approve capital expenditure requests, confirming the accuracy of underlying assumptions and accountability for achieving expected financial and operational results.
• Prepare and deliver weekly financial flash reports that highlight key action items required to keep the facility on track to meet financial goals.
• Complete and submit formal four-quarter rolling forecasts to corporate on a quarterly basis, clearly explaining significant changes from prior periods.
• Plan and develop the annual plant operating budget based on current plant capabilities and targeted cost, service, and quality objectives.
• Maintain cycle count programs for all inventory, including finished goods, to maintain accurate inventory records and support effective control processes.
• Set product cost standards through the annual standard cost roll, and focus plant management attention on products or product groups that require performance improvement.
• Lead special assignments and projects aimed at enhancing overall plant performance and financial results.
• Lead the personal and professional development of direct reports, providing coaching, guidance, and feedback to support growth and performance.
• Assist with and oversee activities related to inventories, variance reporting, payroll support, cycle counting, and month-end close processes.
• Produce and refine quarterly forecasts and annual budgets, ensuring alignment with plant and corporate financial objectives.
• Prepare, review, and present financial reporting and analysis to plant leadership and corporate stakeholders in a clear and actionable manner.
• Engage proactively with production and operations teams to understand cost drivers and operational issues, translating findings into financial insights and improvement initiatives.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, support quality assurance review processes, and adhere to SOX-related certification requirements.
• Act as an active member of the on-site management team, collaborating across departments and contributing to operational and strategic decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration.
• Minimum of 5 years of practical accounting experience in a manufacturing environment, with a strong focus on cost accounting.
• Solid manufacturing-based financial and operational knowledge, including familiarity with production environments.
• Demonstrated experience in operational planning and cost reduction initiatives.
• Hands-on, detailed analysis skills with the ability to work in the weeds and handle transactional as well as analytical tasks.
• Comprehensive understanding of a standard cost system and the related budgeting process.
• Excellent analytical and auditing skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in verbal and written communication, including the ability to explain financial concepts to both production staff and senior leadership.
• Strong computer skills with experience using Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel for reporting, analysis, and budgeting.
• Experience with month-end close processes, inventory accounting, variance analysis, and fixed asset accounting.
• Capacity to interact comfortably with hourly production workers and corporate C-suite leaders, adapting communication style as needed.
• Demonstrated career progression with stable tenure and increasing responsibility, rather than frequent short-term roles.

Qualifications

• MBA or advanced degree in a related field is preferred.
• Experience in a small to mid-sized manufacturing operation, ideally around 100 employees including production.
• Strong team orientation, flexibility, and organizational skills, with a commitment to high work ethics and strong moral values.
• Ability to continually and constructively question and challenge existing practices and processes to drive improvement.
• Competencies in innovation, effective management practices, leadership, sound judgment, and initiative.
• Ability to thrive as a valued member of an on-site management team, contributing both strategically and tactically.
• Experience with reporting tools and financial flashes, with a focus on translating data into clear action items.