Controller

CFS; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 160,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

CFS is seeking a hands-on Plant Controller for a $200M+ manufacturing operation in Michigan. This onsite role requires 10+ years in manufacturing finance, with strong cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and leadership to drive profitability and operational excellence.

The position offers a competitive salary of $160,000–$170,000 plus bonus, with close partnership to the Plant Manager and senior leadership. The ideal candidate blends financial rigor with on-floor operational insight.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive finance/accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Experience as Plant Controller or equivalent senior manufacturing finance leader.
• Experience supporting a $200M+ manufacturing operation.
• Strong cost accounting, variances, inventory, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Ability to translate financial data into actionable operational decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead all financial activities for a $200M+ manufacturing operation including month-end close and reporting.
• Partner with Plant Manager and leadership to drive profitability and plant performance.
• Drive budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial planning.
• Collaborate with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Engineering to improve costs and margins.
• Develop and monitor KPIs linking financial and operational performance.
• Oversee capital expenditures analysis and productivity initiatives.
• Ensure internal controls and compliance with corporate policies.
• Lead and mentor the plant finance/accounting team.
• Participate in leadership discussions to support profitable growth.

Skills

Finance leadership

Cost accounting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Operations partnering

Plant floor collaboration

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA / CMA / MBA preferred

Job description

PLANT CONTROLLER

Whitehall, MI | Fully Onsite

Salary: $160,000–$170,000 + Bonus

Position Summary

We are seeking a hands-on Plant Controller to serve as a key financial and operational leader for a $200M+ manufacturing plant in St. Joseph, Michigan. This position will have significant responsibility for the financial performance of the operation while partnering closely with plant leadership to drive profitability, operational efficiency, and long-term business performance.

The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years of progressive manufacturing finance experience and combine strong technical accounting and financial management capabilities with exceptional business acumen and operational leadership. This is a highly visible role for a Controller who is comfortable getting into the details, challenging the business, and translating financial data into actionable operational decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all financial activities for a $200M+ manufacturing operation, including month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cost accounting, and financial analysis.
• Serve as a hands-on financial and operational partner to the Plant Manager and leadership team, providing insight into profitability, productivity, costs, and overall plant performance.
• Drive plant-level budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial planning, identifying trends and opportunities to improve financial results.
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, and other functional leaders to improve labor efficiency, material costs, overhead, inventory, productivity, and operating margins.
• Own and improve plant cost accounting, including standard costs, manufacturing variances, inventory valuation, absorption, product costing, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Develop and monitor KPIs that connect financial performance to operational performance, providing leadership with clear and actionable insights.
• Lead financial analysis for capital expenditures, process improvements, productivity initiatives, and other strategic operational investments.
• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial controls, reporting, and accounting processes while maintaining compliance with corporate policies and procedures.
• Lead, develop, and mentor the plant finance/accounting team while establishing a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Actively participate in plant leadership discussions and help establish strategies that support profitable growth and operational performance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive finance/accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience as a Plant Controller, Site Controller, Operations Controller, or similar senior manufacturing finance leader.
• Experience supporting a $200M+ manufacturing operation strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting, manufacturing variances, inventory, standard costing, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated business acumen and operational mindset, with the ability to understand how manufacturing decisions directly impact financial performance.
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to work effectively on the plant floor and directly with operational leadership.
• Proven ability to challenge assumptions, identify financial and operational opportunities, and translate complex financial information into actionable recommendations.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with experience partnering across Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Sales, and Executive Leadership.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA, CMA, or MBA is a plus.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is more than a traditional Controller — they are a true business partner who understands manufacturing from both a financial and operational perspective. They should be comfortable rolling up their sleeves, walking the plant floor, understanding the drivers behind financial results, and working directly with operations to improve performance.

This is an excellent opportunity for a high-level Plant Controller ready to take ownership of a major manufacturing operation and have a direct impact on its financial and operational success.

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