Plant Accountant

Graham Packaging Company; Atlanta, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Graham Packaging is seeking a Plant Accountant to lead the financial function at the Atlanta facility and partner with plant operations to safeguard and improve profitability. This role covers monthly close, forecasting, budgeting, cost accounting, and internal controls to drive productivity and data-driven decision making across manufacturing processes.

The position focuses on cost reduction, variance analysis, and capital project evaluations, delivering clear financial insight to plant

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3-5 years accounting/finance/cost accounting experience.
• Experience in manufacturing finance preferred.
• Strong Excel and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Plant Management to drive financial performance.
• Lead plant financial close and variance analysis.
• Develop plant-level forecasts and budgets.
• Monitor labor, overhead, and conversion costs; provide actionable insights.
• Support capital expenditure evaluations and cost-saving initiatives.
• Maintain internal controls and SOX compliance.

Skills

3-5 years of accounting/finance/costs

Advanced Excel

Analytical/problem-solving

Communicating financial concepts

Multitasking in manufacturing

Manufacturing finance experience

Education

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

Tools

SAP

BW/Business Warehouse

Hyperion/HFM

Job description

Company Statement

Graham Packaging is a people, planet and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Graham Packaging is part of your everyday life. For employees at Graham, our Blue Culture is part of their everyday lives, too. In other words, Blue is how we do things here. At Graham, we are united by a clear vision. We know our part and help those around us know theirs, encouraging one another to continuously improve. We create a safe, challenging environment to innovate by supporting creative ideas and new ways of thinking. We take the initiative to cultivate our individual growth and help others do the same, while keeping ourselves and one another accountable. And we actively promote cooperation, collaboration, integrity and respect across regions and teams to foster an engaged, diverse and connected workforce. We value our employees, and a Blue Culture allows for the most rewarding employee experience as part of the Graham family. Blue is how we feel about what we do - together to create a better tomorrow. Working at Graham means you lead constructively with clear goals, use diverse thinking to drive excellence, accountability, innovation, as well as demonstrating collaboration, embracing learning, and taking action for continuous improvement and growth.

Overview

The Plant Accountant serves as the primary financial leader for the Atlanta manufacturing facility and is a key business partner to plant operations. Reporting to the Regional Controller, this position is responsible for providing financial guidance, operational analysis, cost management support, forecasting, budgeting, and internal controls that drive plant performance and profitability. This role works closely with plant leadership to identify opportunities for productivity improvement, cost reduction, waste elimination, and capital investment optimization while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting.

Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

• Partner with Plant Management and Operations Leadership to drive financial performance and support key business objectives.
• Serve as the primary financial advisor for the manufacturing facility.
• Collaborate with operations teams to identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce conversion costs, and enhance profitability.
• Translate financial and operational data into actionable recommendations for plant leadership.

Financial Reporting & Month-End Close

• Lead all plant financial close activities, ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
• Analyze monthly financial results and communicate key drivers of variances versus budget, forecast, and prior year.
• Prepare and present monthly financial reviews to both plant and finance leadership.
• Ensure compliance with corporate accounting policies and procedures.

Forecasting, Budgeting & Planning

• Develop plant-level monthly forecasts, annual budgets, and long-range financial plans in partnership with the Regional Controller.
• Collaborate with plant leadership and the Regional Controller to identify financial risks, opportunities, operational assumptions, and key business drivers impacting forecast performance.
• Track and report key manufacturing and financial performance indicators, providing actionable insights to improve plant results.
• Monitor plant spending, labor, overhead, and conversion costs, proactively identifying variances and recommending corrective actions.
• Assist the Regional Controller in scenario modeling, sensitivity analysis, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Provide detailed variance analysis against budget, forecast, and prior year results, communicating key drivers and recommended actions to plant and finance leadership.
• Support development of productivity, cost reduction, and continuous improvement targets by providing financial analysis and operational insights.

Cost Accounting & Operational Analysis

• Maintain and improve standard costing methodologies.
• Analyze manufacturing variances including labor, material usage, overhead absorption, scrap, yield, and efficiency performance.
• Partner with operations to understand root causes of variances and develop corrective actions.
• Evaluate product costs and support initiatives that improve overall cost competitiveness.

Capital Management & Continuous Improvement

• Support the financial evaluation of capital expenditure projects and prepare Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) analyses.
• Assist the Regional Controller in the development of financial models to support cost savings, productivity, automation, and maintenance investments.
• Track actual project performance against approved business cases.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through quantitative analysis and performance measurement.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain strong financial controls and support compliance with SOX and company control requirements.
• Reconcile plant balance sheet accounts and ensure accuracy of financial records.
• Participate in physical inventory observations and inventory control processes.
• Promote a culture of accountability, compliance, and financial stewardship.

Operational Support

• Provide daily financial support to plant leadership and functional teams.
• Utilize and develop reports, dashboards, and analyses that improve operational decision-making.
• Support special projects and business initiatives as assigned.
• Assist in developing operational performance metrics and scorecards.

Qualifications

• Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
  • 3-5 years of accounting, finance, or cost accounting experience.
  • Manufacturing finance experience strongly preferred.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to communicate financial concepts effectively to non-financial audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Preferred
  • Experience with SAP, Business Warehouse (BW), Hyperion/HFM, or similar ERP and reporting tools.
  • Knowledge of standard costing, inventory accounting, and manufacturing performance metrics.
  • Experience supporting continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or productivity initiatives.

Compensation Statement

The expected salary range for the position described in this posting is made in accordance with the legal mandates of certain jurisdictions within the United States. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on individual qualifications and experience.

Benefits Statement

Benefits include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in the company's 401K Employee Saving Plan and may participate in its Employee Wellness Program. Employees will also receive paid time off in accordance with company policy and state law requirements.

EEO Disclaimer

Graham Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.