Plant Controller

Modine; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Modine in Leeds, UK, seeks an experienced Plant Controller to join our manufacturing operation. This leadership role combines financial control, plant accounting, business partnering, and data analytics to improve performance and profitability.

You will lead planning and forecasting, develop robust financial models, design Power BI dashboards, and ensure robust controls. The successful candidate will partner with site leadership to drive cost control, inventory accuracy, and capital investment

Qualifications

• CIMA/ACCA or equivalent qualifications are required.
• Manufacturing background is essential.
• SAP experience is required.
• Attention to detail is essential for accurate reporting.
• KPI development and reporting capabilities are required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual operating plan, forecasts, and monthly outlook processes for the site.
• Develop robust financial models to support planning and scenario analysis.
• Partner with operational leaders to identify risks and opportunities against forecast.
• Deliver analysis of variances across revenue, manufacturing costs, labour, overheads, inventory, and working capital.
• Support capital investment evaluations and post-investment performance reviews.
• Own product costing, manufacturing variance analysis, and inventory accounting.
• Monitor material, labour, and overhead performance against standard costs.
• Analyse plant productivity, capacity utilisation, yield, and operational efficiency metrics.
• Lead inventory valuation reviews and physical inventory processes.
• Support initiatives to improve gross margin and operational profitability.
• Provide local accounting support ensuring compliance with company policies and statutory requirements.

Skills

Manufacturing background

Attention to detail

KPI development and reporting

Education

CIMA/ACCA or equivalent qualifications

Tools

SAP

Job description

At Modine, we are Engineering a Cleaner, Healthier World™. Building on more than 100 years of excellence in thermal management, we provide trusted systems and solutions that improve air quality and conserve natural resources. Our Airedale by Modine brand is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative thermal management solutions for data centers, clean rooms, hospitals, universities, and other mission-critical environments.

Never heard of Airedale by Modine? In short, we cool the internet. Ever used an app to book a taxi? Ever had a video meeting? Ever bought something online? Chances are, the digital 1s and 0s you’ve created and sent are being kept cool by Airedale by Modine. We’re one of the key cogs in the global machine that keeps your digital world running smoothly.

Trusted as The Critical Cooling Specialists, Airedale by Modine has decades of experience providing efficient, flexible end-to-end cooling solutions that work smarter, not harder, to deliver more cooling for less power. With manufacturing facilities in Canada, Spain, the UK, and the U.S., we’re scaling up across the world to support an ever‑growing demand for our solutions. That’s where you come in….

Position Description

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Plant Controller to join our manufacturing operation in Leeds, UK. This is a critical leadership position combining financial control, plant accounting, business partnering, operational finance, planning and forecasting, and data analytics.

The Plant Controller will act as a key member of the site leadership team, providing financial insight and challenge to drive operational performance, productivity, margin improvement, working capital management, and strategic decision-making. The role requires a strong hands-on finance professional with advanced Excel skills and proven experience in developing Power BI dashboards and reporting solutions to support business performance.

The successful candidate will be a trusted partner to plant management, influencing decisions through financial analysis while ensuring robust compliance, controls, and accounting governance.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Business Partnering

• All mention above
• Drive a culture of financial accountability across the plant.

Planning, Forecasting & Performance Management

• Lead the annual operating plan, forecasts, and monthly outlook processes for the site.
• Develop robust financial models to support business planning and scenario analysis.
• Partner with operational leaders to identify risks and opportunities against forecast.
• Deliver clear analysis of variances across revenue, manufacturing costs, labour, overheads, inventory, and working capital.
• Support capital investment evaluations and post-investment performance reviews.

Manufacturing Finance & Cost Control

• Own product costing, manufacturing variance analysis, and inventory accounting.
• Monitor material, labour, and overhead performance against standard costs.
• Analyse plant productivity, capacity utilisation, yield, and operational efficiency metrics.
• Lead inventory valuation reviews and physical inventory processes.
• Support initiatives to improve gross margin and operational profitability.
• Provide local accounting support ensuring compliance with company policies and statutory requirements.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial reporting.
• Maintain strong internal controls and compliance processes.
• Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, and shared service teams as required.
• Drive continuous improvement within financial processes and controls.

Reporting & Data Analytics

• Design, develop, and maintain advanced Power BI dashboards and management reporting solutions.
• Automate reporting processes to improve visibility and decision‑making.
• Translate operational and financial data into actionable business insights.
• Create KPI dashboards covering:
  • Revenue and margin performance
  • Manufacturing cost performance
  • Productivity
  • Inventory
  • Working capital
  • Capital expenditure
  • Forecast accuracy
• Develop advanced Excel-based models to support planning, forecasting, and business analysis.
• Identify opportunities to simplify financial processes and increase automation.
• Support Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives where applicable.
• Champion data-driven decision-making across the site.
• Drive best practices in financial planning, reporting, and performance management.

Required Education & Qualifications

• CIMA/ACCA or equivalent qualifications
• Manufacturing background
• SAP experience
• Attention to detail
• KPI development and reporting