Plant Controller

Our client is a globally established, family-owned international food manufacturing company with a strong presence across Europe and the United States.

The organization develops and produces high-quality bakery products for customers across retail, food service and industrial markets. Combining the stability of a long-standing international group with an entrepreneurial U.S. environment, the company is continuing to invest in its people, operations and financial processes.

For its manufacturing site in Swedesboro, New Jersey, we are looking for a hands-on Plant Controller.

The opportunity

As Plant Controller, you will serve as the lead finance partner for the Swedesboro manufacturing site. You will provide financial leadership to the plant organization, create visibility into manufacturing performance, and help improve cost control, productivity and profitability.

Reporting directly to the Head of Finance North America, you will work closely with leaders across operations, supply chain and procurement. You will own the plant controlling agenda and play an important role in closing, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and internal controls.

This is a visible, hands-on finance leadership opportunity for an experienced manufacturing finance professional who combines strong analytical capabilities with the ability to influence operational decisions and strengthen financial processes. As the U.S. organization continues to grow, the role may also offer opportunities to take on broader responsibilities beyond the Swedesboro site.

Key responsibilities

Plant controlling and operational finance

• Lead plant controlling activities for the Swedesboro manufacturing site.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, operational performance, and financial results.
• Monitor material, labor, and overhead variances.
• Manage and improve standard costing, inventory reporting, and cost-control processes.
• Develop plant-level reports, dashboards, and performance indicators.
• Partner with operations, procurement, and supply chain on productivity, sourcing, capacity, and investment decisions.
• Identify the operational drivers behind financial results and translate findings into practical recommendations.
• Advise plant leadership on opportunities to improve cost discipline, efficiency, and profitability.

Accounting and financial reporting

• Coordinate monthly, quarterly, and annual closing activities for the site.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Maintain oversight of general-ledger activities, account reconciliations, accruals, and journal entries.
• Review balance-sheet accounts and investigate discrepancies.
• Strengthen accounting processes, internal controls, and segregation of duties.
• Ensure that Group accounting policies and procedures are followed consistently.
• Support audit preparation and respond to financial reporting requests.

Planning and business support

• Lead the plant’s annual budget and periodic forecasting processes in collaboration with the Head of Finance North America.
• Analyze actual performance against budget and forecast.
• Prepare variance analyses, financial models, and profitability assessments.
• Create and maintain KPIs and management reporting tools.
• Communicate financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Drive the continued improvement and alignment of financial processes and reporting tools.

Candidate profile

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Relevant experience in plant controlling, cost accounting, or manufacturing finance.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing costs, inventory, and operational performance.
• Experience with standard costing and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Experience coordinating month-end closing and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Strong Excel and financial-systems skills.
• Experience with Quick Books or another accounting or ERP system is preferred.
• Food manufacturing experience is an advantage but is not required.

The offer

Besides a competitive salary, our client a offers a 10% bonus, 401k match, health benefits, PTO and 14 company holidays.