Position Description

The plant controller is a business partner to the plant manager helping to identify opportunities for productivity improvement, waste elimination, efficiency of inventory while also maintaining a strong control environment. The role contributes to all areas of plant management and provides strong financial leadership. The plant controller advises on major decisions, is responsible for creating financial analysis for decision support, aids in creating capital requests, supports cycle counting and inventory management, is responsible for journal entries and reconciliations in the plant and works with the plant management team to explain results on a daily/weekly/annual basis.

Job Responsibilities

• Participates in a strategic business partnership with the plant manager, focusing on financial levers, productivity and cost savings opportunities to move the business forward. Presents and advocates for continuous improvement opportunities to the leadership team.

• Leads month end close, generates journal entries and reconciliations, and facilitates the plant management team in explaining month end results.

• Proactively engages with teams at the plant to ensure proper controls are in place and that the financial results are GAAP compliant. Continuously works to improve reporting, data analysis tools, procedures and controls.

• Proactively leads the plant in identifying and driving opportunities for inventory efficiencies. Reviews bills of materials, tracks substitutions, aids in establishing cycle count procedures, audits cycle counts and physical inventories. Provides reporting on inventory adjustments, scrap, days on hand and other measurement tools as needed. Continuously leads efforts to have the right levels of inventory at the right time.

• Creates financial tools at the plant level to help support decisions made by plant leadership.

• Leads the capital request process by ensuring that the request considers all expenses, potential alternatives, ROI and has a specific scope, timeline and purpose.

• Leads budgeting process and the setting of standard costs. Leads and educates on the budget process, provides analysis, loads the budget, calculates and loads standards, explains YOY differences.

• Manages internal and external audit requests.

• Engages with team members to both learn and teach. Coaches and/or mentors plant finance analysts and continually looks for education opportunities.

• Engages with the other plant controllers, corporate finance/accounting and other corporate functions to standardize processes and procedures, suggests improvements and share insights.

• Performs some managerial responsibilities which may include: planning, assigning and directing work; interviewing, hiring and coaching employees; assists with performance management process.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Skills Requirements

• Strong analytical skills and knowledge of analysis techniques that assist in report preparation for decision-making purposes

• Advanced Excel skills (vlookups, pivot tables, conditional formatting)

• Thorough understanding of general accounting functions as well as cost accounting and standard cost setting

• Familiarity with profit and loss analysis, standard operating and capital budgeting

• Advanced organization skills necessary to manage multiple assignments and priorities

• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills for interface and communicate with diverse groups

• Leadership skills and the ability to be influential

• ERP experience is required and SAP experience is a plus.

• Fluent in English and primary language used in area of responsibility and/or location

Education

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of five years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Experience working in a fast paced environment

• Previous experience managing a team preferred

Physical & Environmental Requirements