Region Controller

• Accountable for financial oversight of several manufacturing locations, scales that manufacture diverse products, serve diverse markets and are spread across a large geographical area. Requires travel often to various facilities to meet stated objectives.
• Manage a population of facility controller s with diverse backgrounds and career goals. The Region Controller has a solid line responsibility to the Region General Manager and supports the PSNA Area Controller .
• Responsible for providing financial leadership and oversight for the region in order to achieve business objectives and goals in a manner consistent with International Paper policies and procedures
• Responsible for leadership and oversight of the finance function within the region to include:
• Effective development and implementation of fiscal procedures and controls
• Accurate and timely reporting of financial information
• Analysis of performance, profitability improvement objectives and opportunities
• Strategic planning and analysis, forecasting
• Capital effectiveness and analysis
• Development of personnel
• The key customers are:
• the area controller
• the region general manager
• key members of the PSNA finance staff
• other members of PSNA management
• Directs the financial activities of the Region by overseeing and maintaining effective fiscal procedures and controls
• Analyzes performance and recommends and/or directs actions to maximize the financial return of the division and corporation
• Ensures that each facility maintains accurate books and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that the business is conducted in compliance with established division and corporate policies, procedures and practices
• Manages preparation and analysis of region operating results and operating trends, reviews capital projects, manages special projects and reviews operating forecasts
• Ensures all monthly, quarterly and year-end operating results are reported accurately, on a timely basis and in accordance with company policies and procedures
• Provides appropriate communication of objectives and responsibilities
• Directs and manages consolidation, reporting and reconciliation of results for internal and external reporting requirements
• Provides management with key performance measures and financial analysis
• Drives improvement opportunities through the organization
• Maintains & ensures that an adequate system of internal controls exists for the facilities within the region along with management’s engagement and use of the QR16 for compliance reviews
• Determines that the assets of the region are properly managed and protected
• Communicates and trains staff on IP policies and procedures including SOX requirements, self-review procedures, peer reviews, balance sheet reviews
• Directs the preparation and analysis of the annual operating plan, strategic plan and capital plan as needed and in conjunction with region general manager and division finance.
• Analyzes variances, reviews operating costs and spending levels for trend changes and opportunities to improve
• People Development
• Provides leadership to Facility Controller s
• Facility finance staff
• Others in the organization
• Provides development opportunities through internal training, peer reviews, and special projects
• Proficient with tools, data and analytics
• Key challenges include:
• The external environment, including technology, competition, markets:
• Competitive manufacturing cost pressures
• Cost to serve issues including distribution
• Sustained compliance with Sarbanes/Oxley regulations
• The internal environment, including interaction with others (both inside and outside the company) policies/practices:
• Stretch target achievement
• Capital plan implementation and spending
• Adjusting to new finance structure
• Succession planning
• Business expansion
• Facility profitability reviews
• Control environment improvement
• Reporting simplification/automation
• Coordination and sourcing for special analysis/projects
• Employee retention, (i.e., tenured controller s)

The Skills You Will Bring:

• College degree in Accounting/Finance, advanced degree or certification desirable
• 5-7 years Finance Controller experience or associated work
• 10 years of overall experience (8 with an…