Manufacturing Plant Controller

Kettle Cuisine, LLC.; Lynn, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Kettle Cuisine is seeking a Manufacturing Plant Controller in Lynn, MA to oversee inventory, overhead and site productivity. This role blends strong financial leadership with hands-on manufacturing insight in a fast-paced food operation.

You will lead cost analyses, help build the annual budget and reforecasts, and drive cross‑functional improvements with Operations and other teams. A solid finance background in food manufacturing and excellent Excel skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build financial plans and deliver insights through analysis.
• Commitment to financial controls.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis of material, labor, overhead, yield, usage, waste, downtime, and other cost drivers.
• Identify root causes and drive corrective actions.
• Help manage overhead costs and improve cost structure without compromising safety/quality.
• Spend time in the plant to understand production, warehouse, inventory, and support processes.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects and track results.
• Monitor cycle counts and reconcile inventory records.
• Assist with annual budget and reforecast, lead monthly spend meetings.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Excel

Cross-functional collaboration

Cost control

Education

Bachelor’s or graduate degree in Business or related discipline

Job description

At the heart of our company is a deep passion for creating fresh, healthy, and artisan-quality food that brings people together. We honor the craft of artisan cooking, using scratch-made stocks, hand-chopped herbs, and only the highest-quality ingredients, complemented by cutting-edge technology. This allows us to deliver consistently safe, exceptional products on a large scale.

But it’s not just about the food. Our culture is built on principles that shape how we grow, both as individuals and as a team. One of our core values, Honoring Development, guides us to actively seek out, celebrate, and nurture one another’s talents, strengths, and interests. By fostering each other’s growth, we strengthen our relationships and capabilities, driving both personal and professional success.

We also believe in Honoring Each Other. We surround ourselves with passionate people who share our love for great food. Through mutual respect and collaboration, we create an environment where employees are empowered to thrive, building trusting, and rewarding relationships with our clients, partners, and one another.

If you’re looking for a place where your skills, passion, and ideas can flourish, we invite you to explore the opportunities available within our dynamic and supportive team.

The Plant Controller plays a pivotal role in ensuring the financial health and operational efficiency of the plant. They are responsible for overseeing various financial aspects including inventory control, overhead management, and supporting the site's productivity agenda. The ideal candidate will possess a strong financial acumen coupled with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Lead analysis of material, labor, overhead, yield, usage, waste, downtime, and other manufacturing cost drivers. Ensure significant variances . in a practical, action-oriented way: what happened, why it happened, whether it is timing or true performance, and what needs to happen next. Work with Operations and other functions to identify root causes, quantify losses, and drive corrective actions.
• Help the team manage overhead costs. Protect and improve the plant’s cost structure by challenging spending and identifying waste and inefficiency without compromising food safety, quality, service, maintenance, or inventory accuracy.
• Spend time in the plant and develop a practical understanding of production, warehouse, inventory, and support processes.
• Bring constructive, solution-oriented input to meetings and help teams stay focused on the decision or outcome required.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects and follow through from problem identification to root cause, action plan, and measurable result.
• Monitor cycle counts to ensure accuracy of inventory records and reconcile any discrepancies.
• Assist with building the annual budget as well as reforecast results as needed, and lead the monthly department spend meetings to explain actuals vs. budget across overhead expense categories.
• Build financial acumen across the site by training and developing at all levels.
• Contribute to the site leadership team beyond the Finance agenda. Lead cross-functional projects and take on additional responsibilities as assigned.
• 5+ years of experience in Finance, preferably including experience as a Site/Plant Controller.
• Experience in Food preferred.
• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in Business or related discipline.

Required Attributes

• Proven ability to build financial plans and deliver insight through analysis.
• Commitment to financial controls.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Drive to make a difference.
• Proven ability to collaborate and work across sites.
• Superior Excel skills and the ability to learn new systems.
• Ability to multi-task, make quick decisions and work under short timelines.
• Creative problem-solving skills.
• Courage and curiosity.

Pay Range for Manufacturing Plant Controller

The Manufacturing Plant Controller base pay range $120,000 - 140,000 USD/annually. The listed salary range represents Kettle Cuisine’s good faith estimate for this position and represents the minimum and maximum for new hire salaries for the Lynn, MA location only. Ranges will be reviewed on a regular basis. An employee’s rate of pay within the range is determined by their qualifications, relevant experience, and demonstrated performance over time. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical to allow for future and continued salary growth. The Manufacturing Plant Controller position is eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. Kettle Cuisine and all its legal entities comply with all federal, state, and local minimum wage laws.

This position is also eligible for a target bonus of 15%.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Kettle Cuisine complies with all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws. This means we will not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability in any phase of the employment relationship including application for employment, hiring, promotions and/or advancement opportunities, termination, compensation, training and any other conditions or privileges of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kettle Cuisine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions at Kettle Cuisine are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

Kettle Cuisine will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Core Values

Kettle Cuisine takes the utmost pride in its people, products and reputation. Each employee is expected to understand and live our Core Values every day.