Plant Controller

An established manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Plant Controller to serve as the senior financial leader for its manufacturing facility. This individual will partner closely with plant leadership to drive operational performance through strategic financial planning, cost management, forecasting, and business analysis. The Plant Controller plays a critical role in helping the plant achieve its operational and financial objectives by providing actionable insights, ensuring financial accuracy, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the operation. Key Responsibilities Lead the annual budgeting, operating plan, and rolling forecast processes. Develop financial plans for production, labor, overhead, and capital expenditures. Partner with operations leadership to align financial plans with production objectives. Analyze monthly financial performance, identify key variances, and recommend corrective actions. Support long-range planning, scenario modeling, and strategic decision-making. Provide financial analysis for capital investments, sourcing decisions, pricing, productivity improvements, and make-versus-buy evaluations. Manufacturing Finance & Cost Management Serve as the primary financial business partner to plant operations, engineering, and supply chain leadership. Oversee standard costing, product costing, and cost rollups. Monitor labor, material, scrap, overhead absorption, and manufacturing performance metrics. Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Support Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives with financial analysis. Manage inventory valuation, inventory turns, and working capital performance. Lead the monthly close process, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and variance reporting. Maintain strong internal controls over manufacturing accounting, inventory, and fixed assets. Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal policies, and audit requirements. Partner with corporate finance on accounting updates, standard cost changes, and reporting initiatives. Leadership Build strong partnerships with plant leadership by providing timely financial guidance and operational insight. Lead and mentor plant finance personnel, as applicable. Promote financial accountability throughout the organization. Success Measures Manufacturing cost and margin performance Labor productivity and overhead absorption Forecast accuracy and budget attainment Inventory accuracy and working capital management Timely identification and resolution of financial variances Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. 7+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing finance, cost accounting, or plant controllership. Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, standard costing, budgeting, and financial planning. Experience partnering directly with plant and operations leadership. Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial modeling skills. Experience working within an ERP system (SAP experience is a plus). Preferred CMA or CPA designation. Experience with enterprise planning and budgeting software. Background in complex manufacturing environments. Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies. Physical Requirements Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer. Frequent use of a computer, telephone, and virtual meeting platforms. Occasional standing and walking throughout the manufacturing facility. Ability to travel periodically, including overnight travel as needed. #J-18808-Ljbffr