Controller - Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Plant Controller – Strategic Business Partner

Title: Plant Controller
Location: Franklin, WI
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Dotted Line: Senior Vice President & General Manager
Direct Reports: Assistant Controller and Accounting Assistant (2)

Position Summary

The Plant Controller is a key financial leader at the Franklin, WI manufacturing facility, responsible for overseeing all plant-level accounting, financial reporting, cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls. This role partners closely with plant leadership and corporate finance to drive financial performance, support operational decision-making, and ensure compliance with company policies and GAAP.

The Plant Controller operates as a trusted business partner to the Sr. VP & General Manager while maintaining strong alignment with corporate financial strategy and reporting requirements.

Ideal Candidate: We're looking for a leader who:

• Thinks like an operator, not just an accountant
• Is confident partnering with senior leadership
• Enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges
• Brings both technical depth and commercial insight

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary financial advisor to plant leadership, providing insight into operational performance, cost drivers, and improvement opportunities.
• Partner with the Sr. VP & General Manager to support strategic initiatives, capital investment analysis, and profitability improvement efforts.
• Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders.

Financial Reporting & Accounting

• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes for the Franklin facility, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Prepare and analyze plant P&L statements, balance sheets, and variance reports versus budget and forecast.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal accounting policies, and corporate reporting requirements.

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Lead all cost accounting activities, including standard cost development, maintenance, and variances (labor, material, overhead).
• Analyze manufacturing efficiencies, scrap, rework, inventory turns, and absorption to support continuous improvement.
• Oversee inventory valuation, cycle counts, physical inventories, and related reconciliations.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

• Lead the annual operating budget and ongoing forecast processes for the plant.
• Monitor and report on key financial and operational KPIs, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Provide financial modeling and scenario analysis to support operational decisions and capital projects.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain strong internal controls over financial processes, inventory, and fixed assets.
• Support internal and external audits, ensuring timely responses and corrective action where needed.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, SOX/internal control standards (as applicable), and regulatory requirements.

Capital & Fixed Assets

• Review and analyze capital expenditure requests; track capital project spending and ROI.

People Leadership

• Directly manage, coach, and develop the Assistant Controller and Accounting Assistant.
• Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the finance function.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA or CMA strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including significant experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Prior experience as a Plant Controller or senior manufacturing finance leader strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, standard costing, inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel skills; experience with manufacturing ERP systems preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and internal controls.

Leadership & Competencies

• Proven ability to partner with operations and influence decision-making through data-driven insight.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and manage competing priorities.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based within a manufacturing facility; regular presence on the shop floor required.
• Occasional travel to corporate offices or other facilities as needed.

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