Business Unit Controller

Korn Ferry; Morganton (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Global Manufacturer, Morganton, NC, is seeking a Business Unit Controller to lead financial strategy for the North American manufacturing footprint. The role reports to the Regional CFO and partners with plant operations, commercial, and corporate finance to drive profitability and accountability.

The successful candidate will own P&L management, budgeting/forecasting, product and standard costing, CapEx, and executive reporting, while developing three Plant Controllers and a Sales

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years in manufacturing finance/controlling.
• Strong plant costing and P&L management experience.
• Experience with SAP ERP; IFRS and international exposure preferred.
• Spanish language skills beneficial.
• CPA valued but not required.

Responsibilities

• Own financial performance and controllership for the $300M NA unit.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and exec reporting.
• Partner with operations and commercial teams to drive profitability.
• Develop and mentor Plant Controllers and Sales Controller.
• Strengthen product costing and costing visibility.
• Ensure internal controls and financial governance.

Skills

Manufacturing finance

Plant P&L management

Product costing

Executive communication

Strategic business partnering

Leadership

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA valued

Tools

SAP

Job description

Company: Confidential Global Manufacturer

Location: Morganton, NC

Reporting Relationship: Regional Chief Financial Officer

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Our client is a global, publicly traded manufacturer serving highly regulated end markets, including the pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare industries. The organization generates approximately $2 billion in global revenue and operates a diversified international manufacturing footprint.

The Business Unit Controller will support an approximately $300 million North American business spanning manufacturing operations in North Carolina, New Jersey, Mexico, and Ohio. The organization operates in a highly collaborative, international environment and values finance leaders who work closely with the business, identify opportunities for improvement, and take ownership of execution.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Regional CFO, the Business Unit Controller will provide financial leadership and controllership oversight for an approximately $300 million North American manufacturing business. This highly visible role will partner closely with business unit, plant, commercial, and corporate leadership.

The Business Unit Controller will own the financial performance of the business, including P&L management, budgeting and forecasting, plant performance, product and standard costing, CapEx, and executive reporting. The individual will lead three Plant Controllers and a Sales Controller while driving greater consistency, accountability, and financial visibility across the organization.

A major focus will be strengthening product costing, improving visibility into manufacturing and expense drivers, and partnering more closely with plant operations to improve performance. The individual will also play an important role in developing the finance organization supporting the company’s significant Mexico manufacturing operation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

• Own financial performance and controllership activities for the approximately $300 million business unit.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, variance analysis, and executive reporting.
• Review plant forecasts and actual results and provide insight into key risks, opportunities, and performance drivers.
• Partner with the Regional CFO, operations, commercial leadership, and global finance organization to improve profitability and cash flow.
• Prepare and present financial results, forecasts, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Lead and develop Plant Controllers supporting manufacturing operations across the U.S. and Mexico.
• Review plant financial results and drive accuracy, consistency, and accountability across the business.
• Partner closely with operations to analyze plant performance, efficiency, and financial and operational KPIs.
• Strengthen product and standard costing methodologies and improve visibility into material, labor, overhead, and other expense drivers.
• Partner with commercial leadership on pricing, forecasting, costing analysis, and profitability.

Process Improvement & Financial Governance

• Identify and lead improvements to finance processes, reporting, tools, and controls.
• Manage the financial evaluation and oversight of capital expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with corporate financial policies, reporting requirements, and internal controls.
• Support special projects, integration activities, and cross-functional initiatives as needed.
• Lead, mentor, and develop three Plant Controllers and a Sales Controller.
• Partner closely with the finance organization supporting the approximately $200 million Mexico operation to strengthen capabilities, processes, and financial discipline.
• Build greater consistency and accountability across the plant finance organization while developing finance leaders into proactive business partners.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required; advanced degree is a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting, finance, and/or controlling experience within manufacturing.
• Strong plant controlling and operational finance experience, including plant P&L management.
• Demonstrated expertise in standard and product costing.
• Experience overseeing multiple plants or manufacturing locations strongly preferred.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial planning capabilities.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with manufacturing operations and commercial leadership.
• Experience leading and developing Plant Controllers or other finance professionals.
• Strong ERP and systems capabilities; SAP experience strongly preferred.
• IFRS and international manufacturing experience preferred but not required.
• Spanish-language capabilities are beneficial given the role’s interaction with Mexico.
• CPA valued but not required.

KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Manufacturing & Plant Finance Expertise – Strong understanding of manufacturing finance, plant P&Ls, operational drivers, and plant performance.
• Product Costing Expertise – Deep knowledge of standard and product costing with the ability to improve methodologies and profitability visibility.
• Hands-On Leadership – Comfortable moving between executive-level discussions and detailed plant-level financial analysis.
• Business Partnership – Ability to translate financial information into actionable recommendations for operations and senior leadership.
• People Leadership – Proven ability to develop finance professionals while establishing accountability and consistency.
• Continuous Improvement – Proactive approach to improving processes, reporting, systems, and financial discipline.
• Executive Communication – Ability to clearly communicate financial results, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to senior leadership.