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.

The Plant Controller I 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.

This position leads a team that is a combination of Assistant Controller, Cost Accountants, Production Clerks, and Plant Buyers.

• 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
• 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 KPIs
• Drive operational improvements, including development, implementation, and maintenance
• Support multiple manufacturing production lines
• 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

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• MBA or Master’s degree in Accounting or Finance preferred
• Minimum of 7 or more years of manufacturing/cost accounting experience required
• Prior leadership/management experience required (min of 3 years direct supervisory)
• ERP systems software experience, SAP preferred
• CPA or CMA preferred
• Knowledge of GAAP and Sarbanes Oxley a plus
• Demonstrated ability in managing a general ledger…