Plant Controller

The Plant Controller will lead the financial function for a manufacturing facility and serve as a key business partner to the Plant Manager and site leadership team. This position will provide financial insight and analysis to support operational decision-making, improve profitability, and drive cost-control initiatives.

The Plant Controller will oversee plant budgeting and forecasting, financial performance analysis, variance reporting, cost accounting, inventory analysis, capital investment evaluation, and cost standards. This individual will also educate and support plant leadership in understanding financial performance, identifying cost drivers, and developing corrective actions and continuous improvement opportunities.

• Financial Leadership & Business Partnership
• Serve as a strategic financial business partner to the Plant Manager and site leadership team.
• Provide financial analysis and insight to support operational and business decisions.
• Help leadership understand key cost drivers, financial performance, and opportunities to improve profitability.
• Lead monthly plant financial and operational review meetings.
• Analyze actual performance versus budget, including labor costs, labor efficiency, staffing levels, material usage, and overhead.
• Partner with department leaders to develop and monitor corrective actions for material, labor, and overhead variances.
• Monitor and report progress against departmental and plant financial goals.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Cost Accounting & Performance Analysis
• Maintain accurate and complete plant cost files and cost standards.
• Support cost development and analysis for new product launches.
• Manage the New Product Initiation process and develop product cost estimates.
• Coordinate capital expenditure evaluations with corporate finance.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of the activity-based costing model.
• Determine plant reporting requirements and provide meaningful financial analysis to site leadership.
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Lead the plant's annual budgeting and forecasting process.
• Partner with department managers to determine material, labor, staffing, and overhead requirements.
• Prepare the Annual Operating Plan and periodic financial reforecasts.
• Monitor budget performance and communicate risks, opportunities, and recommended actions to plant leadership.
• Oversee inventory accounting procedures and ensure compliance with established processes.
• Ensure inventory records and transactions are accurate and complete.
• Manage inventory variance analysis and identify opportunities to improve inventory accuracy and control.
• Support appropriate financial controls and accounting practices throughout the facility.
• Lead, develop, and mentor the plant's Accounting and Finance team.
• Establish performance expectations and provide coaching and professional development opportunities.
• Promote a culture of accountability, accuracy, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5–8 years of experience in manufacturing cost accounting or plant finance.
• At least 3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Experience working with ERP and MRP systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience with inventory management, barcoding systems, and manufacturing financial processes preferred.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to influence and partner effectively with operations and department leadership.
• Assertive, proactive, and results-oriented approach.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into actionable business insights.
• Self-motivated with the initiative to identify and address issues independently.