Assistant Controller - Memphis Manufacturing

Smith & Nephew; Memphis (TN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k Matching

Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Work-Life Balance

Wellbeing Benefits

Hybrid Work Model

Job summary

Smith+Naphew is seeking an accomplished finance leader to partner with site leadership in Memphis, overseeing the monthly close, forecasting, and budgeting processes. You will analyze manufacturing performance and cost variances, drive standard costing and inventory valuation, and ensure SOX compliance across the site.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance, 7+ years of experience in manufacturing finance or cost accounting, and strong ERP skills (preferably SAP) with advanced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA preferred; MBA or advanced Finance/Accounting degree preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting, controllership, cost accounting, and/or finance experience.
• Manufacturing finance or cost accounting experience preferred.
• ERP experience required; SAP experience strongly preferred.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling capabilities required.
• Power BI or similar reporting and analytics tools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site's monthly financial close process with the Site Controller.
• Support forecasting, annual operating plans, budgeting activities, and performance reviews.
• Analyze manufacturing performance, operating expenses, and cost center results to identify risks and improvements.
• Monitor and explain manufacturing variances (material usage, labor, overhead, scrap, yield, absorption, inventory movements).
• Support standard costing processes, inventory valuation, and financial controls for manufacturing operations.
• Provide financial insight and recommendations to site leadership linking operations to financial outcomes.
• Drive compliance with accounting policies, internal controls, SOX, and audits.
• Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to improve decision-making.
• Support internal and external audits and resolve findings.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes and enhance reporting and analytics.

Skills

Financial close

General ledger

Forecasting

Budgeting

OPEX management

Variance analysis

Internal controls

Audit support

Manufacturing variances

Excel

Power BI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA preferred

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

SAP

Job description

What will you be doing?

Partner with the Site Controller to lead the site's monthly financial close process, ensuring timely and accurate reporting. Support forecasting, annual operating plans, budgeting activities, and ongoing financial performance reviews. Analyze manufacturing performance, operating expenses, and cost center results to identify risks, opportunities, and improvement actions. Monitor and explain manufacturing variances including material usage, purchase price variance, labor, overhead, scrap, yield, absorption, productivity, and inventory movements. Support standard costing processes, inventory valuation activities, and financial controls related to manufacturing operations. Provide financial insight and recommendations to site leadership, helping connect operational activity to financial outcomes. Drive compliance with accounting policies, internal controls, SOX requirements, and audit expectations. Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Finance stakeholders to improve performance and decision-making. Support internal and external audits, ensuring readiness and timely resolution of findings. Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve data quality, and enhance reporting and analytics capabilities.

What will you need to be successful?

Education Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required. CPA preferred. MBA or advanced Finance/Accounting degree preferred. Experience 7+ years of progressive accounting, controllership, cost accounting, and/or finance experience. Manufacturing finance, cost accounting, or operational finance experience preferred. Prior experience as an Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Cost Accounting Manager, Finance Manager, Plant Finance Lead, or similar role preferred. Strong knowledge of: Financial close and reporting processes General ledger accounting Forecasting and budgeting OPEX management Variance analysis Standard costing Inventory valuation Internal controls and audit support Experience analyzing manufacturing variances, including material usage, labor, overhead, productivity, scrap, yield, purchase price variance, absorption, and inventory movements preferred. ERP experience required; SAP experience strongly preferred. Advanced Excel and financial modeling capabilities required. Power BI or similar reporting and analytics tools preferred.

What characteristics will make you successful?

Strong controllership mindset with a commitment to financial accuracy, compliance, and accountability. Ability to translate complex financial and operational data into actionable business insights. Proven capability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Excellent partnership and communication skills with both finance and non-finance stakeholders. Sound judgment, strong problem-solving abilities, and a proactive approach to risk identification and resolution. Continuous improvement mindset focused on simplifying processes, improving controls, and enhancing business performance. Demonstrates the Smith+Naphew Way to Win through ownership, urgency, collaboration, and execution excellence.

Travel Less than 5% travel. Physical Demands Office-based role with regular interaction on the manufacturing site as needed.

You. Unlimited. We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve. Inclusion and Belonging - Committed to welcoming, celebrating, and thriving on inclusion and belonging. Learn more about Employee Inclusion Groups on our website.

Your Future:

• 401k Matching Program
• 401k Plus Program
• Discounted Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Work Life Balance: Flexible Personal and Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day
• Your Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account with employer contribution, Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program
• Flexibility: Hybrid Work Model for most professional roles
• Training: Hands on, team customized learning and mentorship
• Extra Perks: Discounts on fitness clubs, travel, and more!

Smith+Naphew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

Stay connected by joining our Talent Community. We're more than just a company - we're a community! Follow us on LinkedIn to see how we support and empower our employees and patients every day. Check us out on Glassdoor for a glimpse behind the scenes and a sneak peek into You. Unlimited., life, culture, and benefits at S+N. Explore our website and learn more about our mission, our team, and the opportunities we offer.

Smith+Naphew is a global medical technology company. We design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. We support healthcare professionals to return their patients to health and mobility, helping them to perform at their fullest potential. From our first employee and founder, T.J. Smith, to our team today, it’s our people who make Smith+Naphew a unique place. Yes, we love to innovate and develop exciting technologies, and we offer competitive salaries and progressive benefits. But it’s our culture - of Care, Collaboration and Courage - that really sets us apart. Through a spirit of ownership and can-do attitude we work together to win. We’re a company of people who care about each other, about our customers and their patients, and about our communities. Together, we fulfill our shared purpose of Life Unlimited.