Financial Controller / Plant Controller

Weekday 1; Kansas; On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Target compensation around $150,000

Annual bonus opportunity

Employer-paid family medical insurance

Dental and vision coverage

PTO

Relocation assistance available

Job summary

Weekday is assisting a dairy/beverage manufacturing client in Seward, Nebraska, seeking a new leadership role in finance. You will build the accounting and finance function from the ground up, partnering with executive leadership and plant operations.

You will lead internal controls, ERP rollout, and cross-functional reporting, shaping how finance supports growth. Prior experience in manufacturing and a collaborative, ownership-driven mindset is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in beverage, dairy, or food manufacturing environments preferred.
• Leadership of accounting/finance teams or functions.
• Ability to build processes, controls, and reporting from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting function for the facility and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Manage month-end close, general ledger, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Oversee inventory accounting, cost accounting, and manufacturing reporting; support budgeting and forecasting; manage cash.
• Lead ERP implementation efforts and build scalable financial processes.
• Develop operational reporting and KPIs to drive better decision-making.
• Partner with plant leadership to improve financial visibility and operational performance.
• Mentor and grow a small accounting/administrative team.

Skills

Finance leadership

Operations partnering

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Internal controls

Tools

ERP system

Job description

This role is for one of the Weekday's clients

Experience: 3+ yrs

Location: Seward, Nebraska

Job type: Full-time

Beverage & Dairy Manufacturing | Seward, Nebraska | On-site

If you're currently leading finance within a beverage, bottling, dairy processing, or other food manufacturing environment-and you've been looking for the opportunity to help build something rather than simply maintain it-I think this role is worth a conversation.

We're conducting a confidential search on behalf of a growing dairy processing company that's launching a brand-new manufacturing facility in Seward, Nebraska.

This is a newly created leadership position where you'll have the opportunity to help build the accounting and finance function from the ground up while partnering closely with executive leadership and plant operations. If you enjoy creating structure, improving processes, implementing systems, and becoming a true operational business partner, you'll likely find this opportunity both challenging and rewarding.

Requirements

What makes this opportunity different?

Most Controller positions involve stepping into an established accounting department and maintaining existing processes.

This opportunity is different.

You'll play a key role in helping build the financial infrastructure of a new manufacturing operation. From accounting processes and internal controls to ERP implementation, inventory, cost accounting, and operational reporting, you'll help shape how finance supports the business as the facility continues to grow.

You'll also have the opportunity to work closely with leadership and influence decisions that extend well beyond traditional accounting responsibilities.

What you'll be responsible for

• Leading the accounting function for the facility
• Financial reporting, month-end close, general ledger, reconciliations, and internal controls
• Inventory accounting, cost accounting, manufacturing reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash management
• Helping implement and optimize the ERP system while building scalable financial processes
• Developing meaningful operational reporting and KPIs that support better decision-making
• Partnering closely with plant leadership to improve financial visibility and operational performance
• Leading and mentoring a small accounting and administrative team

The background we're most interested in

Our ideal candidate has experience within one or more of the following manufacturing environments:

• Dairy processing
• Beverage manufacturing
• Beverage bottling
• Aseptic or UHT manufacturing
• Food and beverage manufacturing

The strongest candidates will likely have experience as a Financial Controller, Plant Controller, Manufacturing Controller, Operations Finance Manager, Plant Finance Manager, or Manufacturing Accounting Manager.

Just as important as your technical background is your approach. We're looking for someone who enjoys partnering with operations, takes ownership, builds strong relationships, and naturally looks for ways to improve the business rather than simply maintain the status quo.

Compensation & Benefits

• Target compensation around $150,000, with flexibility for exceptional candidates bringing highly relevant beverage, dairy, or bottling manufacturing experience
• Annual bonus opportunity
• 100% employer-paid family medical insurance
• Dental and vision coverage
• PTO
• Relocation assistance available

Why candidates are excited about this opportunity

This is the kind of role that doesn't come along very often. You'll have the chance to build something meaningful, work alongside a collaborative leadership team, and help shape the finance function as a brand-new manufacturing operation grows.

Must-have skills

Finance