Financial Controller （Manufatcuring）

BTI Executive Search; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

BTI Executive Search partners with a global manufacturing group to appoint a Finance Controller based in Malaysia. This hands-on leadership role oversees manufacturing costing, plant finance and financial performance, working closely with operations to drive business results and robust controls.

You will own the Malaysia plant P&L, lead a small finance team, and report to regional leadership while partnering with operations to improve productivity, reduce waste and optimize cash flow.

Qualifications

• Strong finance background in manufacturing with cost accounting expertise.
• Experience as Plant Controller or similar supporting production operations.
• Hands-on with strategic perspective and ability to partner with leadership.
• Proven ability to drive cost optimization and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Act as key finance partner to plant and country leadership, providing insights on production efficiency and profitability.
• Oversee end-to-end financial activities at plant level: reporting, budgeting, forecasting, costing, variance analysis.
• Lead product costing processes including BOM analysis, inventory valuation and cost control initiatives.
• Own Malaysia plant P&L and drive financial performance with regional leadership.
• Partner with operations to improve productivity, reduce waste and enhance cost efficiency.
• Manage working capital with focus on inventory, planning, and cash flow.
• Ensure compliance with policies, controls, and statutory requirements.
• Lead and develop the plant finance team and drive continuous improvement in processes and reporting.

Skills

Cost accounting

Plant finance

Business partnering

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Stakeholder management

Auditing

Education

Degree in Finance or Accounting

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

We are partnering with a reputable global manufacturing organization to appoint a Finance Controller based in Malaysia. This is a critical leadership role suited for a hands-on finance professional with deep experience in manufacturing costing and plant operations, who is eager to drive business performance alongside operational leaders.

This role is ideal for someone ambitious and commercially minded, looking to step beyond traditional finance responsibilities to actively shape business outcomes. The position offers full ownership of the Malaysia plant’s financial performance, with direct reporting to regional leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the key finance partner to plant and country leadership, providing actionable insights on production efficiency, cost performance, and operational profitability
• Oversee end-to-end finance activities at the plant level, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, standard costing, and variance analysis
• Lead and optimize product costing processes, including BOM analysis, inventory valuation, and cost control initiatives within a manufacturing setup
• Take full ownership of the Malaysia plant P&L, driving financial performance and supporting decision-making to achieve business targets
• Partner closely with operations to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance cost efficiency across the plant
• Manage working capital with a focus on inventory control, production planning alignment, and cash flow optimization
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, financial controls, and statutory requirements
• Lead and develop the plant finance team, fostering a performance-driven and hands-on culture
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, systems, and reporting to support operational excellence
• Drive transformation initiatives in partnership with stakeholders, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Serve as the key point of contact for auditors and regional finance stakeholders

Requirements:

• Strong finance background within a manufacturing environment, with deep expertise in cost accounting and plant finance
• Proven experience in a Plant Controller or similar role supporting production operations
• Hands-on approach with the ability to dive into operational details while maintaining a strategic perspective
• Strong business partnering skills with the confidence to challenge and influence plant and country leadership
• Demonstrated experience in driving cost optimization, margin improvement, and operational efficiencies
• Highly motivated, ambitious, and capable of working collaboratively with cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field

Why This Opportunity:

• Opportunity to take full ownership of a Malaysia plant’s financial performance
• High-impact role with strong visibility to regional leadership
• Exposure to a dynamic manufacturing environment with opportunities to drive real operational change
• Ideal for ambitious finance professionals who want to be deeply embedded in the business and influence outcomes directly