Plant Controller

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie, Timber Tech, AZEK Exteriors, Versatex, fermacell, and Stru Xure.

With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we're united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.

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Summary

The Plant Controller II will be responsible for providing comprehensive financial leadership to the plant. The Plant Controller functions as the leading accounting professional in the plant and is responsible for the accurate reporting of results and maintenance of the company's assets, through balance sheet integrity and providing a rigorous control environment. The Plant Controller also serves as the business partner to the Plant Manager to focus largely on providing financial and operational leadership and improvements, including identifying and driving cost reductions.

What You'll Do:

Provide accurate reporting of results and maintenance of the company's assets through balance sheet integrity and providing a rigorous control environment as the lead accountant and financial professional at the plant:

Foster a strong control environment in the plant and ensure balance sheet integrity and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance

Adhere to sound internal control processes, improve any control deficiencies, and set the proper routines and processes related to internal controls. Mitigate business risks as they are identified.

Work cross-functionally with central accounting to lead control and efficiency initiatives resulting in a better control environment that is easier to monitor.

Manage a complete and thorough month end close process, including owning all plant accounting operations, reporting, and plant financial statements

Prepare and manage the annual budget process, and coordinate and manage regular forecast updates.

Analyze and interpret plant operation results, evaluating variances, and assessing the effects on the plant's operations

Monitor financial performance to identify and drive cost reductions

Serve as project manager on cost reduction initiatives, working cross functionally with engineers, procurement, and plant operators to drive cost reductions

Coordinate with plant operations to prepare business cases to support capital investments, including financial justification and proper accounting treatment.

Act as a strong example of integrity and 'Doing the Right Thing'

Drive negotiations with key vendors either directly or via partnering with procurement

Serve as the business partner to the Plant Manager to focus on providing financial and operational leadership and improvements, including identifying and driving cost reductions:

Provide daily, weekly and monthly reports for plant and corporate management

Provide management with the strategic tools and reports to drive business results

Manage plant performance on improvement goals and KPI's

Drive operational improvements, including development, implementation, and maintenance

Support multiple manufacturing production lines

Manage others and provide leadership, ongoing development, mentoring, and strong learning experiences:

Lead, coach, and mentor a team of 2 to 5 Cost Accountants, Buyers, and/or Clerks

Delegate day-to-day accounting activities to the Cost Analyst and other accounting staff as appropriate

Providing effective leadership to staff, direct reports, and others in the Company to improve their performance and directing their career development

Train and develop staff to ensure that their work is progressing as desired in the areas of proper collection, calculation, and reporting of cost, production, inventory, and other financial information to aid in career progression

What You'll Bring:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required

MBA or Master's degree in Accounting or Finance preferred

Minimum of eight or more years of manufacturing/cost accounting experience required

Prior leadership/management experience preferred

ERP systems software experience required, SAP preferred

CPA or CMA preferred

Exceptional knowledge of GAAP and Sarbanes Oxley

Demonstrated ability in managing a general ledger resulting in accurate books and records while driving efficiencies in these areas

Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP preferred)

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments while meeting deadlines and quality of execution, as well as effectively taking action to solve problems while exhibiting sound judgment and successful stress tolerance

Demonstrated experience and ability in compiling annual operating plans and budgets, combined with the…