Plant Controller - Manufacturing

Job Description

About the Opportunity

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A well-established manufacturing organization in the Greater Charlotte area is seeking a highly capable Plant Controller to serve as the senior financial leader for a significant manufacturing operation.

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This is not a back-office accounting position. The Plant Controller will be an active member of the plant leadership team and will work closely with operations, supply chain, engineering, and corporate finance to improve profitability, strengthen financial controls, support operational decision-making, and drive continuous improvement.

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The successful candidate will be equally comfortable working through detailed plant-level financial issues and advising senior leadership on broader business decisions.

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This opportunity offers strong visibility within the organization and meaningful long-term advancement potential for a high-performing manufacturing finance leader.

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What You’ll Do

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Plant Financial Leadership

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• Serve as the primary finance partner to plant leadership and provide financial insight that supports operational and strategic decisions.
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• Participate in the development of plant operating plans, annual objectives, and longer-term business priorities.
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• Translate operational performance into meaningful financial analysis and actionable recommendations.
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• Help plant leadership identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions that improve financial performance.
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Financial Planning & Analysis

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• Lead the plant’s annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes .
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• Prepare and communicate monthly forecasts and financial projections.
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• Analyze actual results against budget and forecast, identifying key drivers and explaining significant variances.
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• Develop scenario analyses and contingency plans to support changing business conditions.
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• Provide financial modeling and investment analysis for plant initiatives, capital expenditures, and productivity projects.
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Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

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• Lead the plant’s monthly financial close process .
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• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of plant financial results.
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• Maintain strong balance sheet and P&L discipline.
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• Review plant financial information for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
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• Communicate financial results clearly to both financial and non-financial leadership.
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Manufacturing Cost Accounting

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• Provide financial leadership around:
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• Standard costing
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• Manufacturing variances
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• Inventory valuation
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• Labor and overhead
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• Material costs
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• Scrap and yield
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• Productivity
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• Cost absorption
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• Working capital
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• Capital spending
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• Partner with Operations to identify manufacturing cost drivers and opportunities to improve margins.
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• Develop business cases around cost reduction, productivity, equipment investments, and operational improvements.
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Inventory & Asset Management

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• Maintain strong financial oversight of plant inventory and fixed assets.
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• Ensure inventory reporting and physical inventory processes are accurate and well controlled.
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• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to improve inventory accuracy and working-capital performance.
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• Provide financial oversight of capital projects and major asset investments.
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Internal Controls & Compliance

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• Maintain a strong internal-control environment across plant accounting and operational processes.
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• Ensure compliance with company policies, U.S. GAAP , and applicable regulatory requirements.
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• Identify control weaknesses and implement practical corrective actions.
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• Maintain clear financial procedures, documentation, and accountability throughout the organization.
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• Support internal and external audit requirements.
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Operational Partnership

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This role is expected to be highly visible on the plant floor.

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The Plant Controller will:

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• Participate actively in plant operating meetings.
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• Build strong relationships with production, engineering, maintenance, supply chain, procurement, and other functions.
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• Help operational leaders understand the financial impact of business decisions.
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• Provide financial education and coaching to non-finance leaders.
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• Challenge assumptions constructively and help the organization make better data-driven decisions.
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Continuous Improvement

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• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, reporting, controls, and operational efficiency.
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• Partner with plant leadership on productivity and cost-reduction initiatives.
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• Improve financial processes and eliminate unnecessary complexity.
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• Develop reporting and analytics that provide greater visibility into plant performance.
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• Help establish measurable financial and operational KPIs.
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Leadership & Talent Development

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• Lead, coach, and develop members of the plant finance/accounting organization.
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• Establish clear expectations and accountability.
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• Develop team members for increased responsibility and future leadership opportunities.
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• Foster a collaborative, hands-on, results-oriented finance culture.
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What We’re Looking For

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Required Qualifications

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• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline .
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• At least 5+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience .
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• Strong experience within a manufacturing environment .
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• Demonstrated understanding of:
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• Plant P&L
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• Balance sheet
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• Manufacturing cost accounting
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• Inventory
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• Budgeting and forecasting
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• Financial analysis
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• Internal controls
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• Experience partnering directly with plant or operations leadership.
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• Strong analytical ability and comfort working with detailed operational and financial data.
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• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial leaders.
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