Cost Controller / Plant Controller

Socket.dev; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision benefits

Retirement plan with matching

Tuition assistance

Paid holidays and vacation

Wellness program

Employee assistance program

Career development opportunities

Job summary

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak in Decatur, IL is seeking a Plant Controller/Senior Cost Accountant to lead financial management for our foundry. You will work with plant leadership to ensure costing accuracy, budgeting, and profitability analysis.

The role requires an undergraduate degree in accounting/finance, 3+ years of manufacturing accounting experience, and strong Excel and SAP skills. We offer a safety‑driven culture, competitive pay, and opportunities for career growth.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Business or Finance or equivalent; CPA/CMA asset.
• Minimum 3+ years accounting experience, preferably in manufacturing; foundry exposure an asset.
• Advanced Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills.
• ERP systems 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 the CFO, VP Controlling, Plant Manager, and other departments.
• Support cost saving plans and process improvement initiatives.
• Prepare internal budgets and monitor actual results against budget.
• Prepare quarterly revenue forecasts with production team.
• Monitor inventory costing, balance, and movement.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve costing and labor variances.

Skills

Excel

SAP

Cost accounting

FP&A

Analytics

Communication

Education

Undergraduate Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance or equivalent – CPA or CMA is an asset

Tools

ERP SAP

Job description

Join Our Team at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak!

Embark on a rewarding career journey with voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, North America's premier designer and manufacturer of special trackwork. With a legacy spanning 160 years, we lead the industry in shaping the future of rail solutions. As part of the voestalpine Railway Systems global network, we are committed to delivering quality products and services, including rails, turnouts, fastening systems, signaling technologies, and monitoring solutions. Operating with a presence across Canada, the US, and Mexico, we prioritize the well-being of our people, global mobility, and sustainability and innovation.

Our people are the foundation of our success. Skilled, motivated, and results‑driven individuals shape our culture demonstrating our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Curiosity, Courage, Passion, and Diversity each day. This commitment is more than shared values; it extends to shared responsibilities for safety and quality, showing genuine care for one another's growth and development, a commitment to our customers, and fostering strong relationships within the Nortrak Team and with our customers.

We are currently looking for a Cost Controller / Plant Controller to join our team in Decatur, IL.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

Reporting directly to the Vice President, Controlling, the Plant Controller/Senior Cost Accountant for vaRS Nortrak’s foundry located in Decatur, IL is responsible to perform and lead a variety of financial management and reporting responsibilities. This role will also work closely with the local plant management team.

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 a variety of 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 in collaboration 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 various operations.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve costing and labor variances with different 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.
• Ensures all costing is current, accurate and complete. Continuously verifies estimated costs against actuals.
• Manage deadlines and prioritize bids based on complexity, priority, and risks.

Cost:

• Maintains knowledge of state‑of‑practice. Identifies and recommends cost effective material, design, and process options.
• Liaise with sub‑trades for quotations and analyze quotes compared to 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 your responsibilities.
• Participate and engage in different initiatives as needed.
• Actively participate in production meetings to gain an 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.

QUALITIFCATIONS:

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance or equivalent – CPA or CMA is an asset.
• Minimum of 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 be able to clearly articulate opportunities for improvement and/or risk areas.
• Advanced Excel, Word, and Power Point skills
• Experience with ERP systems – ideally SAP
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills combined with sound professional judgement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS WHEN AT MANUFACTURING FACILITIES:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; occasional standing and walking for your scheduled shift.
• 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.

SALARY:

• $80,000/year - $110,000/year

Benefits:

• A supportive, family oriented Nortrak Blue culture
• We provide an environment where 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

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak (“Nortrak”) is a subsidiary of voestalpine AG (www.voestalpine.com) one of Europe’s premier steel producers with over 50,000 employees worldwide. Nortrak is closely affiliated with voestalpine’s Railway Systems group which operates in 21 countries across the globe to provide cutting edge system‑based solutions to railroads and transits. Our website is https://www.voestalpine.com/nortrak/en/

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