Assistant Controller, Manufacturing — Grow into Finance Leadership

Forum Plastics LLC; Watertown (CT); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Short Term Disability

Life insurance

Paid time off

Professional development assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Forum Plastics LLC is seeking an experienced Assistant Controller - Manufacturing in Watertown, CT. This hands-on role will grow into broader financial leadership, reporting directly to the Controller.

The candidate should be curious, driven, and eager to learn the business, with a passion for improving processes using technology and AI. Key responsibilities include close management, financial reporting, variance analysis, and collaboration with Operations and Engineering to drive performance

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and month-end close processes.
• Experience with manufacturing cost accounting, BOMs, routings, and variance analysis is preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, Excel, and Power BI; familiarity with automation/AI tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities and ownership of financial reporting.
• Prepare financial statements, journal entries, reconciliations, and management reporting.
• Analyze results vs. budget/forecast and explain key business drivers.
• Improve standard costing, inventory accounting, BOMs, routings, and variance analysis.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing and Sales to enhance financial performance.
• Assist with budgets, forecasts, cash flow, KPIs, and financial modeling.
• Support audits, internal controls, and accounting policies.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Month-end close

Manufacturing accounting

Cost accounting

ERP software

Power BI

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Assistant Controller – Manufacturing

Pay Range: $95,000 – $110,000

We are seeking a motivated, hands-on Assistant Controller to join our growing manufacturing organization. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced accounting professional who wants more than a traditional accounting role and is ready to grow into broader financial leadership.

Reporting directly to the Controller, this individual will be developed to take significant ownership of the company’s day-to-day accounting and financial reporting activities. We are looking for someone who is curious, driven, improvement-minded, and eager to learn the business.

The right candidate will not simply maintain existing processes. We want someone who will identify opportunities for improvement, implement change, leverage technology and AI, automate repetitive work, and help us continue building a more efficient and forward-looking Finance department.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and progressively take ownership of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close.
• Prepare and review financial statements, journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and management reporting.
• Analyze actual results versus budget, forecast, and prior year and explain key business drivers.
• Manage and improve standard costing, inventory accounting, BOMs, routings, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Sales, and other departments to improve financial and operational performance.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow analysis, KPIs, and financial modeling.
• Assist with annual audits, internal controls, accounting policies, and compliance.
• Help lead and develop members of the Accounting team.
• Identify inefficient processes and implement practical solutions.
• Utilize ERP capabilities, Power BI, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve reporting, analysis, and Finance productivity.
• Work directly with the Controller on strategic projects and progressively assume greater responsibility within the Finance organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, month-end close, and financial reporting.
• Manufacturing and cost-accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with standard costing, inventory, BOMs, and manufacturing variance analysis preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and Word skills and experience working with ERP/accounting systems.
• Power BI, automation, or AI-tool experience is a plus.
• CPA, CMA, MBA, or progress toward a professional designation is a plus but not required.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who takes ownership, asks questions, solves problems, and wants to make an impact. You should be comfortable challenging inefficient processes, learning new technology, working across departments, and taking on increasing responsibility.

This role offers direct exposure to the Controller and senior leadership and is designed for someone who wants to continue developing toward future Finance leadership opportunities.

If you are ambitious, hands-on, eager to learn, and excited about helping modernize a Finance organization while growing your own career, we would like to hear from you.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement