Plant Controller

Optima Organizational Solutions; Silao (Ciudad); On-site; MXN 950,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Optima Organizational Solutions seeks an experienced Plant Controller to lead the financial activities of a manufacturing setup in Silao, Guanajuato. You will partner with Plant Manager and leadership to drive cost control, budgeting, and performance analysis.

The role requires strong manufacturing finance and cost accounting expertise, with hands-on plant operational understanding and a track record of improving EBITDA, margins, and working capital.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive finance/accounting experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• 3–5 years of plant-level financial leadership or controlling experience.
• Experience in automotive industry and Tier 1/2 suppliers is a plus.
• Knowledge of Mexican Financial Reporting Standards (NIF), IFRS, SAT, LISR, LIVA, Carta Porte, and US GAAP.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant-level financial activities including budgeting, forecasting, month-end closing, and reporting.
• Serve as primary financial partner to Plant Manager and leadership team.
• Analyze manufacturing performance and cost drivers to drive improvement.
• Maintain standard costing for labor, overhead, material costs, routings and variances.
• Prepare annual budgets, forecasts, and long-range plans.
• Monitor profitability and advise on EBITDA, cash flow, and working capital.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Month-end close

Financial reporting

Cost accounting

Lean manufacturing

Fluent English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Plant Controller to lead the financial activities of an established automotive manufacturing operation in Silao, Guanajuato. This position will serve as a key member of the plant leadership team, providing financial insight, cost analysis, controls, and business partnership to support operational performance and profitability.

The ideal candidate will combine strong manufacturing finance and cost accounting expertise with a hands‑on understanding of plant operations. This individual will work closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Human Resources, and Corporate Finance to identify opportunities to improve cost, productivity, working capital, and overall financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all plant-level financial activities, including budgeting, forecasting, month-end closing, financial reporting, and performance analysis.
• Serve as the primary financial business partner to the Plant Manager and plant leadership team.
• Analyze manufacturing performance, identifying cost drivers, risks, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Manage and maintain accurate standard costing, including labor, overhead, material costs, routings, and manufacturing variances.
• Analyze purchase price, material usage, labor efficiency, scrap, productivity, freight, and overhead variances.
• Prepare annual operating budgets, forecasts, and long-range financial plans.
• Monitor plant profitability and provide recommendations to improve EBITDA, operating margin, cash flow, and working capital.
• Partner with Operations to establish and monitor key manufacturing and financial KPIs.
• Lead financial analysis for CAPEX projects, including business cases, ROI, payback, and post-investment reviews.
• Maintain strong controls over inventory, cycle counts, physical inventories, obsolete and excess materials, and inventory reserves.
• Ensure accurate monthly financial closing and reconciliation of plant accounts.
• Provide financial support for continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, productivity, cost-reduction, and VA/VE initiatives.
• Support new product launches, customer programs, quoting activities, and changes in production volumes from a financial perspective.
• Ensure compliance with corporate accounting policies, internal controls, and applicable financial regulations.
• Coordinate and support internal and external audits.
• Identify financial and operational risks and proactively recommend corrective actions.
• Develop financial models and plant performance dashboards to improve management visibility and decision-making.
• Lead, coach, and develop plant Finance/Accounting personnel, as applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive finance/accounting experience, preferably within manufacturing.
• At least 3–5 years of plant-level financial leadership or controlling experience.
• Strong preference for experience within the automotive industry, ideally with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier.
• Preparation of financial statements, with demonstrated knowledge of Mexican Financial Reporting Standards (NIF), IFRS (NIIF), SAT regulations, Federal Tax Code (CFF), Income Tax Law (LISR), Value Added Tax Law (LIVA), Carta Porte, Payment Complement requirements, and U.S. GAAP.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting and standard costing systems.
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, inventory management, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Strong understanding of plant operations and the relationship between operational KPIs and financial results.
• Experience supporting CAPEX, productivity, cost-reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of internal controls and financial reporting requirements.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel and ERP systems; SAP experience is highly desirable.
• Experience working within a multinational manufacturing organization is preferred.
• Fluent or advanced English and Spanish required.