Plant Controller

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Partner
  • Partner with plant leadership to drive ownership and accountability for financial and operational performance.
  • Support business strategy by identifying opportunities to improve profitability, productivity, working capital, and cash flow.
  • Influence decision-making through financial analysis, scenario modeling, and actionable recommendations.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to site and business leadership teams.
• Financial Leadership & Performance Management
  • Lead monthly financial close activities, including accruals, balance sheet management, reconciliations, and period-end reporting.
  • Prepare and present financial scorecards, variance analysis, and operational performance metrics to plant and business unit leadership.
  • Deliver daily, weekly, and monthly reporting with clear recommendations and corrective actions.
  • Partner with the Plant Manager during monthly operating reviews and strategic planning discussions.
• Cost & Operational Excellence
  • Analyze manufacturing costs across labor, materials, equipment, overhead, indirect spend, and inventory.
  • Identify and help lead cost reduction, productivity, and process improvement initiatives.
  • Validate production costs, inventory valuation, standard costing, and manufacturing variances.
  • Participate in Gemba walks and continuous improvement activities to strengthen operational performance.
• Planning, Forecasting & Capital Management
  • Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes for the site.
  • Support capital investment analysis and provide financial justification for site projects.
  • Monitor capital project performance and help ensure effective asset utilization.
  • Evaluate business opportunities and operational risks to support long-term site and network performance.
• Controls, Compliance & Plant Processes
  • Ensure strong internal controls and compliance with company policies.
  • Support inventory accuracy through cycle counting, inventory control, and obsolescence processes.
  • Oversee critical plant processes supporting vendor payments, customer billing, risk management, and financial governance.
  • Partner with internal and external auditors as needed and implement Kerry best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Strong foundation in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with ERP systems such as SAP.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• CPA, CMA, or similar professional certification (preferred).
• Experience in manufacturing, operations finance, plant controlling, or cost accounting (preferred).
• Experience within food, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, or consumer products industries (preferred).
• Knowledge of standard costing, inventory management, fixed assets, and capital project evaluation (preferred).
• Prior leadership experience leading teams or cross-functional initiatives (preferred).

Pay

The pay range for this position is $88,100 - $144,800 in Annual Salary. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition, this position is also eligible to earn a performance-based incentive compensation.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid time off.
• 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities.
• Employee Share Plan.
• Life, disability, and accident insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.