Regional Plant Controller

About the Company

Founded in 1963 in Middletown, OH, family-owned Akers Packaging specializes in creating custom packaging and shipping solutions, wooden pallets, and folding cardboard cartons. With customers in the automotive, food, appliance industries, and many others, Akers focused on customer service and speed, providing same- or next-day fulfillment long before Just-in-Time Delivery was a term. Today, Akers Packaging has 600+ employees across 12 locations in the Midwest and continues to prioritize customer service and relationships. The company values developing their people and encourages employees to take ownership, do the right thing, and maintain a strong focus on customer service.

About the Role

Reporting to the Corporate Controller, the Regional Controller will work on a variety of accounting and financial analysis duties and projects alongside a team of three. This role supports the company’s initiative in developing and deploying a business intelligence system and collaborates with General Managers and the Corporate Controller on key business initiatives. The position reinforces a culture where team members act as solutions providers, help first as reliable team members, take ownership, do the right thing, and expect excellence.

Responsibilities

• Support Plant Leadership
  • Ensure month-end close for multiple locations.
  • Consolidate plant results and support leadership with analysis on revenue, margin, and spending.
  • Perform discrepancy and variance analysis on revenue, margin, and spending, and provide decision support for the Corporate Controller and General Managers.
  • Collaborate with General Managers and Corporate Controller to review results, WIP, and financials; complete the annual forecast and budget by division for a specific region.
  • Manage fixed asset tracking and expense integrity and analysis to ensure accuracy and consistency.
  • Oversee inventory management and physical inventories.
• Corporate Initiatives
  • Lead annual budgeting and forecasting in collaboration with corporate leadership, General Managers, and the Corporate Controller.
  • Maintain, improve, and automate financial systems to ensure accuracy.
  • Assist in creating and developing an accounting shared service model, including developing procedures, handing off responsibilities, and communicating regularly regarding issues.
  • Champion the transition of legacy production and accounting systems to Dynamics Business Central; become a superuser, train others, and optimize the software for Akers’ business.
  • Investigate, pilot, and recommend uses of AI within the accounting team to improve efficiencies, speed, and accuracy.
• Reporting and Compliance
  • Manage the completion of periodic financial reports and ensure compliance with GAAP, Cost Accounting, and internal controls.
  • Compile KPIs with trend analysis and visualization.
  • Recommend metrics and benchmarks to measure operations and financial performance.
  • Collaborate with external auditors to resolve issues and complete scheduled audits.
  • Lead year-end financial audits for assigned locations and maintain financial controls.
  • Oversee other audits such as sales tax, personal property, and worker’s compensation for assigned locations.
  • File quarterly and annual reports as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in Accounting or Finance.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant financial experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with cost and inventory accounting (highly preferred).
• Experience leading and developing a team.
• Knowledge of GAAP, accounting principles, and financial regulations.
• Experience with ERP systems/upgrades and streamlining accounting processes.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel experience (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, SUMIF, modeling).

Schedule

This is an in-office role based at Akers’ headquarters in Middletown, OH. Travel to other locations in the region is expected, mostly day trips (about 20%).