Plant Controller

Plant Controller

About the Opportunity

A growing manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Plant Controller to provide financial leadership across two production facilities in California. This position will serve as a strategic business partner to plant management, leading site-level financial activities and delivering accurate, timely analysis that supports proactive decision-making and improved operational performance.

The Plant Controller will oversee financial planning, reporting, costing, inventory controls, budgeting, forecasting, and month-end close activities. This individual will also play a key role in strengthening financial processes, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring compliance with GAAP and company policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic financial partner to plant leadership by providing actionable analysis, identifying performance opportunities, and recommending initiatives to improve profitability and operational results.

• Lead financial planning, analysis, and reporting activities for multiple manufacturing locations.

• Develop and maintain financial models, product costing, manufacturing variance analysis, forecasts, and other decision-support tools.

• Partner with operations on cost-control initiatives, productivity improvements, and capital investment evaluations.

• Provide oversight and hands-on leadership for monthly close activities, including account reconciliations, cost reviews, variance analysis, and forecasting.

• Ensure financial results are accurate, timely, and aligned with corporate reporting requirements.

• Prepare sales tax filings and provide support for external income tax preparation and compliance.

• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting processes for the facilities.

• Partner with plant leadership to establish financial accountability, manage costs, and achieve savings and performance targets.

• Maintain strong inventory controls by supporting cycle counts, physical inventories, and appropriate material movement procedures.

• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of standard costing, product costing, and profitability analysis.

• Identify, prioritize, and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and improve overall performance.

• Establish, monitor, and refine key performance indicators, with an emphasis on leading operational metrics and proactive risk identification.

• Support senior finance leadership with special projects and additional responsibilities as needed.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to the plant finance team.

• Recruit, coach, mentor, and develop finance professionals.

• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance culture.

• Ensure the finance team delivers responsive and effective support to plant and corporate leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

• At least five years of progressive accounting experience, including a strong foundation in financial planning and analysis and operational accounting.

• Previous Plant Controller, Controller, or comparable manufacturing finance leadership experience is strongly preferred.

• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, including standard costing, inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.

• Strong knowledge of accounting systems, ERP platforms, and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and partner effectively with finance and operational stakeholders.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, accountability, and professional judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, Master of Science in Accounting, or another relevant advanced degree.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Ability to stand, crouch, or kneel periodically.

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when necessary.

Travel

This position will be based at one of the organization's California manufacturing facilities. Regular travel between facilities and occasional travel to other company locations may be required based on business needs.

Compensation Target: $140k-$165k