Interim Plant Controller

Job Description

Plant Controller / Cost Manager

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Location: Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL

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Employment Type: Full-Time

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Office Policy: Onsite

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Position Summary

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We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Plant Controller / Cost Accountant to support the financial performance of our client's manufacturing operations. This role will partner closely with plant leadership to provide financial insights, cost analysis, budgeting support, inventory control, and performance reporting. The ideal candidate will possess strong manufacturing accounting experience, a solid understanding of cost accounting principles especially month end close, and the ability to translate financial data into actionable business recommendations.

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Key Responsibilities

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• Cost Accounting & Profitability Analysis
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• Perform detailed product costing analysis, including reviewing labor, material, and overhead assumptions to support pricing decisions and profitability initiatives.
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• Analyze manufacturing costs, product margins, and operational performance to identify opportunities for improvement.
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• Support management with financial evaluations of new products, pricing strategies, and process changes.
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• Maintain standard costs and assist in the calculation and review of cost updates.
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• Lead month end close for the plant.
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• Financial Reporting & Analysis
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• Prepare and distribute daily, weekly, and monthly financial and operational reports for plant leadership.
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• Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), production metrics, and financial results to identify trends and performance drivers.
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• Investigate significant variances and communicate findings and recommendations to management.
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• Develop reporting tools and dashboards that improve visibility into plant performance.
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• Budgeting & Forecasting
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• Lead the annual plant budgeting process, coordinating with department managers to develop expense forecasts and financial targets.
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• Prepare monthly forecasts and analyze actual results against budget and forecast expectations.
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• Partner with operational leaders to identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
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• Support long-range planning and financial modeling initiatives.
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• Cost Savings & Continuous Improvement
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• Maintain and monitor the plant cost savings tracker.
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• Identify, document, and report savings initiatives related to labor efficiency, material utilization, waste reduction, and operational improvements.
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• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to quantify financial impacts and validate savings results.
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• Support continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives through financial analysis.
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• Inventory Management & Internal Controls
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• Perform inventory reconciliations to ensure accuracy between physical inventory counts, production activity, and ERP system records.
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• Investigate inventory variances and partner with operations, production, and warehouse teams to resolve discrepancies.
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• Support cycle count programs and physical inventory activities.
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• Ensure compliance with inventory accounting procedures and internal control requirements.
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Qualifications

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• Required
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• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field.
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• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing accounting, cost accounting, or financial analysis.
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• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, budgeting, and variance analysis.
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• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and financial modeling.
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• Experience working with ERP systems in a manufacturing environment.
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• Preferred
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• CPA, CMA, or progress toward a professional accounting certification.
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• Experience supporting a manufacturing plant or multi-site operations.
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• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or operational finance principles.
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• Experience with Power BI or other business intelligence reporting tools.
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