Controller - Operations

API Heat Transfer Career Center; Town of Columbus (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

API Heat Transfer Career Center seeks a Plant Controller in Franklin, WI, to lead financial reporting, cost accounting, and budgeting efforts within the manufacturing facility. This role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance and significant experience in a manufacturing environment, emphasizing on partnership with operations and strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate will manage the accounting team, ensuring compliance with GAAP and corporate policies, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of progressive accounting/finance experience in manufacturing.
• Experience as a Plant Controller or senior manufacturing finance leader.
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting and manufacturing variance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee plant-level accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Lead the annual operating budget and ongoing forecast processes.
• Serve as the primary financial advisor to plant leadership.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial reporting

Data analysis

Leadership

GAAP compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Job description

Plant Controller – Strategic Business Partner

Title: Plant Controller
Location: Franklin, WI
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Dotted Line: Senior Vice President & General Manager
Direct Reports: Assistant Controller and Accounting Assistant (2)

Position Summary

The Plant Controller is a key financial leader at the Franklin, WI manufacturing facility, responsible for overseeing all plant-level accounting, financial reporting, cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls. This role partners closely with plant leadership and corporate finance to drive financial performance, support operational decision-making, and ensure compliance with company policies and GAAP.

The Plant Controller operates as a trusted business partner to the Sr. VP & General Manager while maintaining strong alignment with corporate financial strategy and reporting requirements.

Ideal Candidate: We're looking for a leader who:

• Thinks like an operator, not just an accountant
• Is confident partnering with senior leadership
• Enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges
• Brings both technical depth and commercial insight

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary financial advisor to plant leadership, providing insight into operational performance, cost drivers, and improvement opportunities.
• Partner with the Sr. VP & General Manager to support strategic initiatives, capital investment analysis, and profitability improvement efforts.
• Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders.

Financial Reporting & Accounting

• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes for the Franklin facility, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Prepare and analyze plant P&L statements, balance sheets, and variance reports versus budget and forecast.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal accounting policies, and corporate reporting requirements.

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Lead all cost accounting activities, including standard cost development, maintenance, and variances (labor, material, overhead).
• Analyze manufacturing efficiencies, scrap, rework, inventory turns, and absorption to support continuous improvement.
• Oversee inventory valuation, cycle counts, physical inventories, and related reconciliations.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

• Lead the annual operating budget and ongoing forecast processes for the plant.
• Monitor and report on key financial and operational KPIs, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Provide financial modeling and scenario analysis to support operational decisions and capital projects.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain strong internal controls over financial processes, inventory, and fixed assets.
• Support internal and external audits, ensuring timely responses and corrective action where needed.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, SOX/internal control standards (as applicable), and regulatory requirements.

Capital & Fixed Assets

• Review and analyze capital expenditure requests; track capital project spending and ROI.

People Leadership

• Directly manage, coach, and develop the Assistant Controller and Accounting Assistant.
• Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the finance function.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA or CMA strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including significant experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Prior experience as a Plant Controller or senior manufacturing finance leader strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, standard costing, inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel skills; experience with manufacturing ERP systems preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and internal controls.

Leadership & Competencies

• Proven ability to partner with operations and influence decision-making through data-driven insight.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and manage competing priorities.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based within a manufacturing facility; regular presence on the shop floor required.
• Occasional travel to corporate offices or other facilities as needed.

ECZ