Plant Controller- Salem OR

About the Role

The Plant Controller stands at the intersection of finance and operations, ensuring a smooth flow of information and oversight across both domains. This role involves monitoring the financial health of facility operations, implementing budgetary controls, taking full ownership of plant financials including month-end close, and providing strategic financial insights to support decision-making processes. By analyzing operational costs, revenue streams, financial reports, and operational KPIs and metrics, the Plant Controller aids in steering the company towards its financial goals while ensuring operational efficiencies.

Responsibilities

• Cost Accounting Oversight: Manage the plant cost accounting function, ensuring efficient and effective processes to accurately track production costs, variances, and operational efficiencies. Oversee product costing, standards revisions, gross margin analysis, inventory accounting, and reconciliations for manufacturing.
• ERP Oversight: Manage efficient and consistent use of the ERP system to align data and transactions for effective business management. Develop and maintain cost accounting systems, policies, and procedures that align with organizational financial goals.
• Process Improvement: Identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in operational processes and implement strategic solutions to enhance productivity and reduce costs. Continuously evaluate workflows for optimal performance and alignment with organizational goals. Analyze operational data and reports to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for process improvements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with procurement, production, and supply chain teams to ensure alignment of cost objectives and pricing strategies. Work together to optimize inventory levels, minimize carrying costs, and allocate resources efficiently. Create and maintain dashboards with weekly performance indicators to inform and influence management. Facilitate communication and collaboration across departments to ensure operational goals are met.
• Risk Management: Identify potential threats and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring smooth operation and financial stability. Forecast, evaluate, and respond to risks to minimize impact while finding opportunities for improvement.
• Financial Forecasting: Predict future revenues, expenses, and resource needs with precision to maintain financial health and operational efficiency. Proactively manage budget allocations and mitigate financial risks through informed strategic planning and decision-making.
• Pricing and Cost Determination: Support the pricing process, ensuring accurate and timely pricing aligned with business objectives and market conditions. Perform comparative price and margin analysis to secure business at optimal margins.
• Financial Reporting: Prepare plant-level financial reports and analyze cost data to identify trends and improvement opportunities. Ensure plant leadership has complete visibility and understanding of performance and specific action plans to drive results. Present financial information in a way that resonates with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Operational Support: Collaborate with the plant manager and operations teams to develop strategies for cost control, process improvements, and efficiency gains. Lead special projects aimed at operational innovation, such as implementing new technology or systems to enhance productivity.
• Leadership and Team Development: Provide direction, mentorship, and development opportunities for the plant-based cost accounting team. Set clear goals and objectives, ensuring team engagement and understanding of operations.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Support the development of plant budgets, forecasts, and operational performance metrics. Ensure year-over-year improvements set new standards for performance.
• Food Safety and Quality: Collaborate with production and supporting departments to ensure the food safety and quality of products.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting required.
• 10 years of experience in manufacturing accounting and systems, with a focus on cost accounting and financial reporting.
• Experience managing a team within a multi-site food manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably Oracle.

Skills

• Cost Accounting
• Standard Costing
• Accounting Management
• Accounting Software
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Reporting
• GAAP Standards
• Cost Control
• General Ledger Accounting
• Efficiency Tracking
• Budgeting
• Forecasting
• Variance Analysis
• Continuous Improvement
• Process Improvement
• Operational Efficiency
• Leadership
• Mentorship
• Team Development
• Strong Communication Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Problem Solving

Physical Requirements

• Requires prolonged sitting and continuous use of a computer.
• May lift, carry, push, or pull objects up to 10 lbs.
• Flexibility to travel as needed.