Cost Controller / Plant Controller

voestalpine; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

voestalpine Nortrak seeks a Plant Controller / Senior Cost Accountant in Decatur, IL to oversee costing, budgeting and profitability analyses for the foundry. You will partner with plant management to deliver accurate monthly closes and actionable cost insights.

The role requires strong ERP skills, advanced Excel and a thorough understanding of cost accounting in a manufacturing environment. Collaboration with Purchasing, HR and Sales is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years accounting experience, manufacturing preferred; foundry exposure a plus.
• Experience with financial planning and analysis.
• Knowledge of cost accounting methodologies.
• Advanced Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills.
• ERP experience – SAP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Complete month-end procedures and prepare internal management reports.
• Analyze profitability by product, project, and customer.
• Lead monthly financial reviews with CFO, VP Controlling, Plant Manager and others.
• Support cost-saving initiatives and process improvements.
• Prepare internal budgets and monitor actuals vs. budget.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or CMA (asset)

Tools

SAP

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Plant Controller / Cost Controller – Decatur, IL

Reporting directly to the Vice President, Controlling, the Plant Controller / Senior Cost Accountant is responsible for a variety of financial management and reporting duties for vaRS Nortrak’s Decatur foundry, working closely with local plant management.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Safety:

• Complies with all Nortrak safety policies and regulations.

Financial Management and Reporting:

• Complete month‑end procedures and prepare internal management reports.
• Analyze profitability by product, project, and customer.
• Lead monthly financial reviews with the CFO, VP Controlling, Plant Manager, and other departments.
• Support process improvement initiatives and assist with cost‑saving plans.
• Perform profitability and cost analyses for projects, investments, and products.
• Assist decision making at a plant level with regular and ad‑hoc analyses.
• Prepare internal budgets and monitor actual results against budget.
• Prepare quarterly revenue forecasts with the production team.
• Work closely with Purchasing, HR, and Sales to optimize cost, pricing, and overhead.

Inventory and Costing:

• Manage product costing in SAP and review standard costs monthly.
• Review and reconcile labor reports and analyze actuals vs production benchmarks.
• Monitor inventory costing, balance, and movement.
• Collaborate with Production Team in managing inventory counts and operations.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve costing and labor variances with various groups.

Other:

• Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies at the plant level.
• Monitor vendor invoices, provide classification, and address errors.
• Monitor and resolve sales order issues with Sales and Account Managers.
• Ad‑hoc reporting and financial management tasks as required.
• Support plant team with analytical and financial tasks.
• Ensure all costing is current, accurate, and complete. Continuously verify estimated costs against actuals.
• Manage deadlines and prioritize bids based on complexity, priority, and risks.

Cost:

• Maintain knowledge of state‑of‑practice and recommend cost‑effective material, design, and process options.
• Liaise with sub‑trades for quotations and analyze quotes against historical data.Use financial and non‑financial data to make informed assumptions for costing.

People:

• Build and nurture healthy working relationships with a wide range of employees.
• Take interest and ownership of responsibilities.
• Participate and engage in various initiatives as needed.
• Actively participate in production meetings to gain understanding of products and manufacturing procedures.
• Perform peer‑review on other estimators’ work and provide feedback.
• Eager to improve and support other estimators.
• Maintain and collaborate a good working relationship with other functions and divisions.

Environmental:

• Adhere to Nortrak's Environmental Procedures, Practices and Policies.

Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance, or equivalent – CPA or CMA an asset.
• Minimum 3+ years of accounting experience, ideally in manufacturing – exposure to foundry is an asset.

Experience:

• Experience with financial planning and analysis.
• Understanding of cost accounting methodologies.Ability to analyze financial and non‑financial data and clearly articulate opportunities for improvement and/or risk areas.
• Advanced Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills.
• Experience with ERP systems – ideally SAP.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills with sound professional judgement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Demands – Manufacturing Facility:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; occasional standing and walking.
• Must remain stationary for extended periods and move throughout the building to access files.
• Must work effectively in a noisy environment.
• Ability to lift and move equipment or objects up to 20‑25 pounds occasionally.
• Visual requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasional travel required, involving walking, standing, sitting, and driving for varying durations.
• Frequent use of hands and arms for dialing phones and using a computer mouse.

Benefits

• A supportive, family‑oriented Nortrak Blue culture.
• Health and safety is our #1 priority.
• Career development opportunities and competitive pay progression.
• Competitive medical, dental & vision benefits.
• Company‑paid life and disability insurance.
• Paid holidays and vacation.
• Retirement plan with matching contributions.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Wellness Program.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee Recognition Programs.

Equal Opportunity Statement

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected classifications.