Operations Controller

FrieslandCampina; Town of Darlington (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

FrieslandCampina is seeking an experienced Operations Controller to join our Wisconsin operations management team. You will partner with site leadership and global controllers, delivering financial insight and performance analysis to drive profitability.

The role blends hands-on operational finance with strategic influence across manufacturing sites, emphasizing standard cost pricing, financial reporting, and proactive performance improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in controlling or finance in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage operational and financial performance to meet objectives.
• Analyze KPIs, budgets, and forecasts, identify performance gaps, and lead improvements.
• Provide trusted insights for operational and strategic decision‑making.
• Lead standard cost pricing, financial reporting, and internal control initiatives.
• Support finance projets and strengthen risk management with corporate guidelines.
• Report to Head Office as part of the Wisconsin operations management team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Data interpretation

Business partnering

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Finance/Accounting

Tools

SAP

HFM

Power BI

MS Office

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Operations Controller to join our Operations Management Team supporting our Wisconsin plants. In this role, you will be a key business partner to Operations leadership, providing financial insight, performance analysis, and strategic guidance that drives operational excellence and profitability.

As Operations Controller, you will work closely with site leadership, the Operations Director, and a global network of controllers across ingredient sites, including collaboration with colleagues in the Netherlands. This role offers a unique opportunity to combine hands‑on operational finance with strategic influence in a manufacturing environment.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in controlling or finance in a manufacturing environment

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with experience in:
  • Management reporting and financial analysis
  • Forecasting, budgeting, and standard cost pricing
  • Financial modeling and scenario analysis
• Experience with SAP, HFM, Power BI (or similar BI tools), and Microsoft Office
• Ability to gather, manipulate, and interpret data to support data‑driven decisions

Business & Leadership Capabilities

• Strong business partnering and communication skills across all levels of the organization
• Proactive, improvement‑oriented mindset with curiosity and a growth mentality
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to influence peers and leadership
• High level of integrity, accountability, and attention to detail

Ways of Working

• Comfortable working both independently and in cross‑functional teams
• Results‑oriented, organized, and able to meet tight deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Commitment to company values:
  • We Act with Respect
  • We Aim Higher
  • We Succeed Together

Responsibilities

The Operations Controller is responsible for monitoring and managing operational and financial performance to ensure business objectives are met. You will analyze KPIs, manage budgets and forecasts, identify performance gaps, and lead improvement initiatives across the organization. Acting as a trusted advisor, you will provide both requested and proactive insights to support operational and strategic decision‑making.

You will also play a key role in standard cost pricing, financial reporting, internal control, and finance‑related projects, while ensuring compliance with corporate guidelines and strengthening risk management practices.

This role reports to Head Office and is an integral part of the Operations Management Team for the Wisconsin plants.

If you are motivated by turning data into insight, partnering with operations, and driving performance in a manufacturing environment, we invite you to apply and grow your career with us.

What We Offer

• A strategic finance role with strong exposure to operations, leadership, and global teams
• Opportunities to influence business performance and drive continuous improvement
• A dynamic manufacturing environment with hands‑on operational insight
• A culture that values respect, ambition, development, and teamwork