Plant Controller

About the role

As the Lyons Plant Controller, you will oversee the accounting functions of the Lyons Salt mine and production facility, including cost accounting. You will manage two direct reports—a senior accountant in Overland Park, KS, and an A/P shared resource with Detroit Salt in Detroit, MI—and report to both the Director Controlling – Highway and Chemical Segment and the General Manager of the Lyons Salt Company. Strong communication skills are essential to collaborate with site operations and ensure accurate accounting of all activities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Lyons Plant accounting department.
• Lead the monthly plant financial closing process, including cost accounting for inventory at the mine and depot sites, and operating reports.
• Manage financial processes, including invoicing, cash collections, payroll, payments, fixed assets, and calculating accrued liabilities.
• Create and maintain bills of materials to ensure proper costing of inventory.
• Prepare and/or review monthly account reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly sales tax data and submit to 3rd party CPAs for filing.
• Supervise staff, delegate responsibilities, and ensure departmental goals are met.
• Review, approve, and evaluate work to ensure quality, timeliness, and adherence to policies and procedures.
• Maintain system of accounts and keep books and records on all transactions and assets.
• Interface with operating and shipping departments for accounting needs.
• Provide analytical support to operations for performance evaluation and decision-making.
• Coordinate monthly, quarterly, and year-end accounting reporting requirements, including annual audit coordination for the Lyons business unit.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual budget.
• Track capital spend and provide monthly reporting and variance explanations to corporate accounting.
• Provide other company facilities with information required to carry out their responsibilities.
• Prepare, evaluate, and communicate variances between actual results, prior year, and budgets to the management team monthly and as needed.
• Travel to the Lyons Mine quarterly, with additional trips as necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minimum of 7 years of experience in all aspects of accounting.
• Experience in a manufacturing, mining, distribution, or inventory-based environment.
• Experience with cost accounting, including creation and management of bills of materials, and managerial reporting.
• Previous senior-level accounting leadership with broad experience in accounts receivable, prepaids, fixed assets, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities preferred.
• Proven ability to manage staff, including motivating, delegating, and reviewing work, with a willingness to accept and apply constructive criticism.
• Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience analyzing processes to streamline and improve efficiency.
• Strong planning and organizational skills; ability to prioritize and develop realistic action plans.
• Highest level of integrity, strong work ethic, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage confidential information.
• Proficiency in accounting systems; Microsoft Navision experience preferred.