Business Unit Controller

Business Unit Controller

With your expertise, we can achieve great goals together. We are WACKER - Reliable. Determined. Ambitious. As one of the world's most research-intensive chemical companies, we've been making countless products that are an integral part of your everyday life possible for over 100 years. From vegan food to resource-efficient buildings to solar cells, we develop sustainable solutions that change the future. To strengthen our team in Allentown, we are looking for you as a Business Unit Controller. The primary responsibility of the Business Unit Controller is to provide strong financial/business leadership, directly supporting two Business Team Leaders in achieving the strategic, operational and financial goals and objectives of the business. The Controller will support the LNB (Construction Polymers) and LNW (Central America from Mexico to the northern dome of South America). The Controller is responsible for the reporting and analysis of past business performance, as well as the planning and forecasting of future performance. In addition, the controller is responsible for the analysis of key customer contracts, investments, profit improvement programs or other strategic initiatives. Collaboration with global colleagues is essential to ensure alignment within the business from an operational and strategic standpoint. The Controller position is also expected to spend up to 50% of their time supporting broader WCC division topics, as defined by the Senior Director of Corporate Controlling. Topics could include plant support for other sites such as WSMI (located in Allentown PA) or WPNA (located in Charleston TN), as well as general ad-hoc support for the WCC region. The position is responsible for ensuring a strong internal control environment and compliance with corporate policies and procedures.

Essential Functions of this Position:

• Provide business advice and counsel to two Business Team Directors and their teams through active participation, acting as the business interface with other financial disciplines and actively participating in the development of business operating strategies.
• Deliver timely and accurate operational analyses as required for Regional Division or Corporate management.
• Analyze and report on key variances to targets, forecast and prior year.
• Provide period analysis of product and customer profitability, including support for pricing decisions and contract profitability evaluation.
• Develop pricing formulas for use in customer contracts and support approval process, up to and including to the Executive Board.
• Provide financial evaluations of capital expenditures, ensuring analyses and approval documents are prepared in accordance with regional and corporate standards.
• Provide an independent view of merits of individual projects from a broader strategic perspective including R&D (PSI) and WOS projects.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts within the organization by initiating and/or participating in projects that reduce costs or improve efficiency.
• Support planning process (includes cost center planning within the legal entity) for three BT Directors, Divisional Vice President, and all Calvert City Production cost center owners thru oversight of process and management of timeline to ensure alignment with regional and global timelines.
• Other responsibilities: maintenance and routine updates of index-customer price formulas, tracking raw material costs based on market index impacts on existing contracts and provide input to Accounting to maintain proper accruals, analysis and maintenance of Division Freight tables in SAP.

The Controller position is also expected to spend 25% to 50% of their time supporting broader WCC division topics, as defined by the Senior Director of Corporate Controlling. Topics could include plant support for other sites such as WSMI (located in Allentown PA) or WPNA (located in Charleston TN), as well as general ad-hoc support for the WCC region.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor's in accounting or related Financial field required, Master's or MBA preferred
• 7 years minimum experience CMA or CPA preferred, CIP experience (i.e. Six Sigma, 5s, etc.) preferred
• Ability to work across all functions / levels of the organization, applying influence skills to ensure proper controls, support change initiatives / identify and communicate improvements and drive business results
• Excellent organizational skills able to multi-task and manage competing priorities
• In-depth knowledge of product / standard costing terminology / processes, inventory flow of materials on production floor, discounted cash flow, IRR and ROI calculations, operational analysis (cost reduction) techniques, financial modeling / forecasting, P&L and balance sheet statements, cost center reporting, and customer pricing / commercial concepts
• Strong demonstrated knowledge of accounting and internal managerial reporting concepts
• Extensive experience leading complex projects and processes like budgeting and forecasting
• Versatile and effective communication skills, encompassing verbal, written and presentation methods
• Ability to dig into and understand the details while also thinking about the larger, strategic picture
• Strong computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint, SAP ERP, Business Warehouse, front-end reporting applications), including use of PIVOT tables and advance Excel formulas
• Team player with outgoing / positive personality who can work effectively with others / as a team

Position requires directly applicable financial analysis (FP&A), cost accounting or commercial finance / commercial finance / pricing experience in the chemical industry or with a mid to large-size manufacturing business. Experience with SAP (or similar ERP), Business Objects (Warehouse), BPC, HFM or OneStream reporting system is necessary, as is experience working in large and complex organizations with multiple reporting relationships. Travel up to 15% annually.

What do we offer?

• WACKER strives to reward its employees in a fair and equitable manner. Our Total Rewards Package considers employee wellbeing and is comprised of compensation, benefits, work-life balance, performance & recognition, and career development.
• Compensation and Incentive plans
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance effective day 1
• Paid Time Off in addition to personal days and holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Wellbeing fund
• Flexible hybrid work arrangements
• 401(k) with company match
• Education Assistance Program
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Support for Community Involvement