Plant Controller

Plant ControllerThe Plant Controller is the finance and FP&A leader for the facility and a core member of the plant leadership team, owning both the controllership function (P&L integrity, internal controls, GAAP compliance) and the strategic FP&A function (profitability analysis, forecasting, budgeting, and capital investment analysis) for the plant. This is a highly visible role that regularly presents financial results, forecasts, and business recommendations to senior corporate leadership (Directors, VPs, CFO, CEO), and is expected to act as a business partner first and a controller second, using sound financial judgment to influence plant and corporate decisions. This is a driver's seat role: the Plant Controller is expected to take ownership of outcomes, not simply report on them, and to help raise the performance bar for the entire plant finance team.Key ResponsibilitiesOwn the accuracy and integrity of the plant's monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and operational reportingOversee month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with US GAAPOwn the design, implementation, and monitoring of internal controlsOwn cost allocation methodology, including standard labor and overhead rates by work center/departmentOwn resolution of standard cost variances, including purchase price variance (PPV), material usage, and labor/overhead absorption variances; drive root cause analysis and corrective action to closure, partnering with the Costing function and plant operations as needed, and escalating systemic costing issues to the Director of Costing and Director of FinanceAnalyze inventory valuation and metrics, including period-to-period fluctuationsServe as the primary point of contact for internal and external audit requestsMentor and guide Associate Plant Controllers; this is a leading-without-authority relationship (Associate Plant Controllers currently report to the Director of Finance, not the Plant Controller) and a deliberate development opportunity for the Plant Controller to build influence and coaching skills ahead of larger management scopeFP&A and Business PartneringServe as the FP&A lead for the plant, partnering directly with the Plant Director and plant leadership teamLead the annual budget/AOP process and periodic reforecasts for the facilityOwn profitability analysis by product line and/or customer, and use it to drive plant strategyLead capital project and investment analysis, including ROI and payback calculations, for plant leadership decision-makingPresent financial results, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to plant leadership and senior corporate leadershipProactively lead cost reduction and margin improvement initiatives, both inter-departmentally and cross-functionally, to drive low-cost producer statusServes as the lead analyst partner to the Costing team for the plant: proactively surfacing costing opportunities, risks, and variance root causes, and driving them into Costing's review and standard-setting process; Costing owns execution and the standard, the Plant Controller owns the analysis and the pushLead plant continuous improvement events and business transformation activitiesLead special projects and system implementations (e.g., Oracle EBS) on behalf of the plantKey Skills and CompetenciesAbility to work independently across the full scope of plant finance, exercising sound judgment on when to escalate to the Director of Finance or plant leadershipStrong knowledge of US GAAP and internal control principles; working familiarity with IFRS concepts a plus given Crenlo's OEM customer relationshipsDemonstrated business partnering skills; able to translate financial data into clear, actionable recommendations for non-finance leadersSelf-starter who proactively identifies issues and opportunities rather than waiting for direction; acts as a driver of outcomes, not a passenger along for the processConstructively challenges assumptions and the status quo at the plant; comfortable respectfully pushing back on plans or numbers that don't hold upActs as a business partner first and a controller second, without compromising financial integrity or controlsStrong data mining, analysis, and financial modeling capabilitiesExcellent verbal, written, and executive presentation skillsProficient with Microsoft 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); experience with Oracle EBS or a comparable ERP strongly preferredContributes to raising the performance bar for the broader plant finance team, not just individual results; supports a team-first culture where the team's collective strength matters as much as any one person's outputExperience mentoring and developing accounting/finance staff; comfortable guiding and coaching an Associate Plant Controller toward advancement without formal supervisory authority over that roleDemonstrated ability to influence senior leadership decisions using financial data and analysisPerformance MeasuresSuccess in this role is measured primarily by the plant's performance against budgeted/forecasted KPIs, including:EBITDA attainment against AOP/forecastManufacturing efficiency and productivity metricsCost reduction and margin improvement initiatives deliveredStandard cost variance resolution, including PPV and material/labor/overhead variances, closed to root cause within expected timelinesInventory accuracy and working capital metricsForecast/budget accuracy and timeliness of reportingEffectiveness of internal controlsEducation and Experience RequirementsBachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related discipline8+ years of progressive experience in finance/accounting, with demonstrated supervisory experienceCPA or CMA not required, but preferred / a strong plusBroad cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment, or a lean/continuous improvement methodology and culture, strongly preferredDemonstrated FP&A leadership experience: budgeting, forecasting, and capital investment analysisDemonstrated experience presenting to and influencing senior leadershipExperience with an ERP system (Oracle EBS preferred), business intelligence/reporting tools, and financial planning softwareExperience with internal controls and audit support preferredWorking Conditions / OtherWork Hours/Status: Full-time, exemptTravel Requirements: Occasional travel between Crenlo facilities and corporate office; travel to attend leadership or customer meetings as neededEnvironment: Combination of plant floor and office environment; may involve exposure to a manufacturing floor with associated noise, dust, and equipmentPhysical Requirements:Sitting/standing, free to move around plant floor and officeSustained visual concentration on financial data, reports, and monitorsMaintains up-to-date knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting standards, and manufacturing finance best practices