Plant Controller

Plant Controller

Responsible for leading day-to-day finance operations for the local plant site and well as mentoring junior accounting staff members(s). The Plant Controller is a partner to the Plant Manager and Operations Team, providing analysis and actionable insights to guide decision-making and improve plant performance. Additionally, the controller will work cross functionally (including HQ) and with all levels of employees to drive company profitability, cash flow, and growth.

This individual is the defacto CFO of the plant and must have solid leadership skills, business acumen, sense of urgency, adherence to deadlines, ability to synthesize and communicate operational KPI's and financial results, develop recovery plans (when required) and evaluate capital projects in addition, to having perfunctory accounting and analytical skills. This role requires a balance of leadership and hands-on execution, particularly in environments where systems and reporting are evolving.

Essential Functions

• Provide strategic financial guidance to the plant management team to support sound financial and operational decision-making.
• Drive cost control initiatives across the plant, including labor, material usage, and overhead spending, and proactively identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead the development and execution of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP), quarterly rolling forecasts, and weekly financial projections.
• Oversee the monthly financial close process, including responsibility for the plant's Profit & Loss (P&L) statement and balance sheet.
• Facilitate weekly and monthly financial and operational performance reviews with plant leadership.
• Prepare and analyze variances (e.g., Material Usage Variance - MUV) and spending trends, using insights to drive operational improvements—such as optimizing conversion costs, refining Bills of Materials (BOMs), and collaborating with the operations team to resolve inefficiencies.
• Conduct product costing and financial analysis for existing products, product transitions, and new commercial opportunities.
• Maintain strong inventory controls, including managing reserves, conducting cycle counts, and identifying slow-moving or obsolete inventory.
• Develop and implement best practices in collaboration with the operations team to mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Evaluate capital expenditure proposals, calculating financial payback in partnership with shared services FP&A resources.
• Monitor and report on capital expenditure projects and overruns in coordination with project management personnel.
• Deliver accurate and timely operational performance reports to plant leadership.
• Ensure daily process order closure and accurate cost analysis reporting by plant leadership.
• Oversee monthly cycle counting to maintain accurate inventory records and minimize write-offs.
• Provide weekly estimated P&L reporting to plant leadership.
• Function as a financial steward at the plant level by setting financial targets, identifying inefficiencies, ensuring data accuracy, and resolving issues related to inventory and cash flow.
• Build financial acumen across the plant management team to support continuous improvement, daily loss prevention, and financially driven decision-making.
• Utilize advanced analysis techniques and key performance metrics to recommend improvements in financial and operational performance.
• Provide oversight and evaluation of all plant expenditures and capital requisitions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in partnership with shared services FP&A.
• Promote cost control and planning discipline to help plant leadership manage and reduce manufacturing costs.
• Lead the plant's annual business planning and quarterly forecasting processes, including development of financial manufacturing plans and standard product costs.
• Collaborate with corporate finance and cross-functional teams on strategic initiatives, including innovation projects, cost reduction efforts, and performance improvement opportunities.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of the plant's accounting systems and compliance with company policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Develop expertise in the ERP system (SAP preferred) to support both financial and operational functions.
• Leverage system capabilities to enhance data accessibility, analytical insights, and management reporting.
• Focus on key cost areas such as material usage, labor efficiency, asset utilization, and overhead expenditure control.
• Utilize Excel and other tools to perform ad hoc analysis and support decision-making in areas where reporting may not be fully automated.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications (Education/Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or related field (or equivalent experience).
• ~7-12 years of experience in a manufacturing finance, cost accounting, or plant finance role.
• Experience in middle-market, private equity-backed manufacturing or industrial companies preferred.
• Proven ability to drive…