Financial Controller

STEM Search Group; South Carolina; On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive manufacturing firm is looking for a Mid-Senior level Financial Controller to lead financial operations in a high-volume plant setting in South Carolina. The role requires extensive experience in manufacturing accounting and a strong understanding of costing and variance analysis. The successful candidate will partner with various teams to enhance financial performance and drive improvements. Offering stability and potential for advancement, this position is ideal for finance professionals seeking impactful, hands-on roles.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of manufacturing accounting or financial management experience in automotive.
• Ability to translate complex financial data into operational actions.
• Strong relationship-building skills across all organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial leadership and insights for plant operations.
• Own standard costing, variance analysis, and month-end reporting.
• Lead initiatives to improve inventory accuracy and optimize working capital.

Skills

Manufacturing accounting

Standard costing

Variance analysis

Inventory accounting

ERP systems knowledge

Advanced Excel skills

Communication skills

Analytical mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline

Job description

What you’ll do…

• Provide financial leadership for a high-volume manufacturing plant, serving as the go-to resource for cost analysis, operational decision support, and performance visibility across the organization.
• Own all aspects of standard costing, variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and month‑end reporting, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and alignment with corporate requirements.
• Partner closely with Production, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Plant Leadership, providing clear financial insights that help guide daily decision‑making and long‑term strategy.
• Evaluate product costs and plant performance indicators; identify trends, investigate anomalies, and recommend corrective actions to keep operations on track.
• Spend meaningful time on the manufacturing floor to understand processes, validate data, and strengthen relationships with cross‑functional teams.
• Lead initiatives that improve inventory accuracy, optimize working capital, and support effective material flow, including coordination of physical inventories and cycle counts.
• Analyze KPIs, conduct scenario modeling, and prepare reports and presentations that support operational planning, cost control, and business performance improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement by questioning assumptions, promoting data‑driven decision‑making, and proactively identifying opportunities to reduce cost and improve efficiency.

What we’re looking for…

• 5–10 years of manufacturing accounting or plant‑level financial management experience, ideally within the automotive industry
• Deep understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, inventory accounting, and the financial drivers that impact production performance.
• Ability to translate complex financial data into clear operational actions; skilled at partnering with plant leaders to solve problems and improve results.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP systems and advanced Excel capabilities.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, hands‑on production environment, including routine time spent on the manufacturing floor.
• Excellent communication skills, leadership presence, and the ability to build strong relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Analytical mindset with a natural curiosity; someone who dives into the data, validates assumptions, and quickly recognizes when numbers don’t align.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business discipline
• High integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to accountability and follow‑through.

Why this role matters…

This is a highly visible and influential position that plays a critical role in the financial and operational success of a growing automotive manufacturing plant. You’ll serve as a true business partner to operations – providing the insight, clarity, and leadership needed to drive performance, strengthen controls, and support long‑term growth. For a finance professional who thrives in a hands‑on environment and enjoys shaping decisions on the plant floor, this opportunity offers meaningful impact, strong leadership exposure, excellent long‑term stability and future advancement potential.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Finance and Accounting/Auditing

Industries

Manufacturing

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at STEM Search Group by 2x

Get notified about new Financial Controller jobs in Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina Area.