Plant Controller

Job Overview

The Plant Controller serves as a key advisor to the President of the Optics Division and is an integral member of the senior leadership team. This role requires a highly detail-oriented, hands‑on finance professional responsible for driving all aspects of cost accounting and financial planning within the division. The position plays a critical role in budgeting, forecasting, inventory and margin analysis, operational performance tracking, KPI development, and monthly financial close and reporting processes.

This is a direct‑hire position.

• Act as the primary financial business partner to Optics Product Line Leadership, supporting strategic decision‑making.
• Lead financial planning and analysis activities, including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis for key metrics such as Orders, Sales, Gross Margin, and EBITDA.
• Analyze product line and customer profitability, including detailed margin analysis and reporting.
• Oversee financial coordination, administration, and analysis of manufacturing operations, including:
• Cost of sales and labor reporting
• Product costing and material usage variances
• Inventory adjustments and reconciliation
• Support and participate in physical inventory processes, including coordination with production teams, vendors, and external stockrooms.
• Partner with operations to support headcount planning, efficiency tracking, spending analysis, and performance reporting.
• Prepare and review recurring monthly journal entries related to inventory, labor, intercompany revenue, royalties, and other financial activities.
• Provide financial analysis and support for New Product Introduction (NPI), including cost modeling, market sizing, and profitability analysis.

• Maintain and update standard costs within the ERP system.
• Analyze cost changes and their impact on margins and inventory valuation.
• Develop and monitor labor and overhead rates by department or cost center.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to ensure cost accuracy and integrity.
• Review cost routings and validate assumptions.
• Lead annual standard cost update processes and supporting analysis.

• Perform detailed standard‑to‑actual variance analysis, including:
• Purchase price and material usage variances
• Labor and headcount analysis
• Monitor and report on inventory metrics, including reserves, slow‑moving and obsolete inventory, cycle counts, and scrap.
• Support warranty allowance programs for external vendors.

• Assist with internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and internal controls (including SOX 404).
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Perform additional financial analysis and special projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting required.
• Master’s degree (MBA/MS) or professional certification (CPA/CMA) preferred.

• 7–10 years of progressive finance/accounting experience.
• Minimum of 3 years in a manufacturing environment.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office Suite.
• Experience with ERP systems (Oracle, GLWAND, HFM preferred).
• Strong understanding of cost accounting principles and financial analysis.
• Experience with SOX compliance and internal control frameworks.