Assistant Plant Controller

Welch's; North East (Erie County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

401K plan with Generous Company Match

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Paid Volunteer Time Off

Tuition reimbursement program

Flexible Benefits from your first day

Paid parental (and adoption) leave

Job summary

Welch's is seeking an Assistant Plant Controller to join our Supply Chain Finance team based at the North East, PA plant with oversight of facilities in North East, PA and Westfield, NY. The role partners with plant leadership to analyze financial performance, manage budgeting and forecasting, and enhance cost visibility across sites.

You’ll drive month-end close, variance analysis, and implement productivity improvements while supporting capital projects and system implementations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in finance or accounting.
• Experience in manufacturing environments preferred.
• Strong foundation in financial and cost accounting principles.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with ERP systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance partners.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and communicate budget, forecast, and actual variances with clear insights for decision-making.
• Serve as a finance business partner to plant leadership to drive performance and accountability.
• Collaborate with operations to identify and deliver productivity and cost-savings initiatives.
• Support month-end close activities with accuracy and internal controls.
• Lead the annual budget process and support ongoing forecast updates.
• Develop and enhance reporting and financial models for visibility and decisions.
• Support margin analysis across the product portfolio.
• Help standardize ways of working across sites and automate reporting where possible.
• Assist with capital project analysis, ROI and payback modeling.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics and commercial teams to understand cost drivers.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Financial analysis

Cost accounting

Excel

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Grow with Welch's! Welch's is on a journey towards our bold ambition of being the global-leader of convenient, good for you fruit-based food and beverages. To turn this goal into a reality we need you and other exceptionally talented, agile, and innovative individuals who are eager to contribute to something extraordinary!

Grow with Welch's! Welch's is on a journey towards our bold ambition of being the global-leader of convenient, good for you fruit-based food and beverages. To turn this goal into a reality we need you and other exceptionally talented, agile, and innovative individuals who are eager to contribute to something extraordinary! At Welch's, we're not just offering a job; we're inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, authentic, and inclusive culture where you not only belong, but also have the opportunity to unleash the best, most authentic version of you.

Position Summary We’re looking for an Assistant Plant Controller to join our Supply Chain Finance team. This role is a key partner to the Senior Regional Controlling Manager and plant leadership across our North East, PA and Westfield, NY manufacturing sites. The Assistant Plant Controller plays an important role in driving financial performance through planning, analysis, and operational partnership. This position is highly engaged in budgeting, forecasting, month-end close, variance analysis, and inventory management, while also helping to strengthen processes and improve financial visibility across the plants.

Where You’ll Work This role is based at our North East, Pennsylvania location with financial oversight of the North East, PA and Westfield, NY plants. You’ll be part of a fast-paced, collaborative environment where finance and operations work closely together to drive results.

What You’ll Do

• Analyze and communicate budget, forecast, and actual variances, providing clear insights to support decision-making
• Serve as a finance business partner to plant leadership, helping to drive performance and accountability
• Partner with operations to identify and deliver productivity and cost savings initiatives
• Support month-end close activities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting policies and internal controls

Planning, Reporting & Analysis

• Lead the annual budget process and support ongoing forecast updates
• Develop and enhance reporting and financial models to improve visibility and decision-making
• Support margin analysis across the product portfolio

Process Improvement & Standardization

• Help build and implement standardized ways of working across sites
• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline reporting and processes, enabling a shift toward more value-added analysis

Capital & Strategic Support

• Support capital project analysis, including ROI and payback modeling
• Assist with new initiatives and system implementations, including data validation and reconciliation

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner across finance, operations, and other functions to support key business initiatives and drive results
• Work closely with plant leadership to translate financial insights into actionable operational plans
• Collaborate with procurement, logistics, and commercial teams to understand cost drivers and improve overall margin performance
• Support alignment between plant-level priorities and broader supply chain and company objectives
• Act as a bridge between finance and operations, helping to improve financial acumen within the business

Who You Are

• A strong collaborator who can build relationships across functions and levels
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and continuous improvement
• Curious and proactive, with a desire to understand the “why” behind the numbers
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field
• 5+ years of experience in finance or accounting
• Interest and experience in manufacturing environments required
• Strong foundation in financial and cost accounting principles
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with ERP systems
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance partners

What You’ll Enjoy

• Organization with a bold, clear purpose & vision for the future
• Inclusive Culture: Be a part of an inclusive workplace where you not only belong but also have the opportunity to be the best version of yourself
• Persuasive Community: You are encouraged to have a voice, share your opinions, and have individual impact on the success of the business
• Paid Time Off and Holidays: Available immediately for you to enjoy time away from the office to rest and recharge
• Paid Volunteer Time Off: 40 hours of paid volunteer time for all non-union employees
• Development & Advancement: Formal and informal opportunities to develop and grow your career
• Compensation Package Consisting of Competitive Base Salary and Annual Incentive Plan (Bonus)
• 401K plan with Generous Company Match
• Flexible Benefits from your first day: Choose the benefits that meet your needs and preferences
• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts
• Life and accident insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Additional benefits available through Perks at Work
• Paid parental (and adoption) leave – Available after 12 months of employment