Plant Controller

Plant Controller

My client is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a privately-held, international consumer products company specializing in the design, marketing and manufacturing of high quality, innovative products.  My Client holds a significant position in the US market in each of its product categories.

• Reporting to the Corporate Controller, the Plant Controller will proactively partner with operations staff, marketing and sales to identify and drive operating efficiencies and costs.
• Through a hands-on orientation, personal coaching and consulting, he/she will ensure that accounting controls are maintained and that plant financial objectives are thoroughly understood by operations staff.
• The Controller will provide accurate and timely ad hoc and standard reports, analyses and other data.
• Train and communicate to operations staff all Company financial and accounting policies and procedures. Monitor and ensure compliance.
• Assist operations staff in implementing financial and performance measurement systems to drive continuous improvement.
• Identify improvement opportunities and gaps in the existing processes. Proactively identify negative trends and recommend prompt corrective actions.
• Manage the close of monthly financial statements ensuring 100% accuracy.
• Oversee the implementation of new item set ups and related maintenance of engineering documentation. Ensure that all product, method and material changes are properly and accurately captured in the Bill of Materials and Engineering Change Notices.
• Manage annual plant budgeting process and re-forecasts on an as-needed basis.
• Perform ad hoc analyses as required across a variety of areas from material usage to capital expenditures.
• Provide cost information to management and commercial teams.
• Coordinate physical inventories and ensure the proper treatment of cycle counts.
• Maintain general ledger through monthly journal entries including labor, fringe benefits, overhead, machine hours, absorption and inventory.
• Review materials balances with plant operations, analyze trends, make recommendations based on production planning needs, trend patterns, and inventory levels.
• Research and analyze accounts and variances; reconcile and substantiate balances and recommend corrective actions regarding inventory (esp. slow moving and obsolete), labor and other areas.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing accounting, including standard cost accounting.
• Advanced level Excel skills.
• Familiarity with GAAP, product costing, and inventory valuation accounting

An ideal candidate will have:

• Strong leadership skills with ability to quickly gain trust and respect across all levels and influence key decision makers;
• Strong financial and business acumen in a commercial / manufacturing context;
• A single-minded passion for results;
• The ability to work strategically and at a detail-oriented, hands-on level;
• Mature judgment, high integrity, flexibility and well-developed leadership skills to make intelligent business decisions and manage complex initiatives;
• Courage to speak frankly and passionately even in the face of adversity with the ability to diplomatically challenge the status quo, set expectations, manage performance and hold individuals accountable for results; and

Required education:

• Bachelor’s

Required experience:

• Inventory Valuation Accounting: 3 years
• Manufacturing Accounting: 5 years