Plant Assistant Controller

Executive Alliance; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k & ESOP

Discretionary bonus

Stock options / RSUs

Low-cost family medical coverage

Job summary

Executive Alliance in Wichita is seeking a hands-on Assistant Controller for a manufacturing facility. This is the top accounting role at the plant, leading a small onsite team and coordinating with the Corporate Controller. Expect a salary around $125k with 401k, ESOP, discretionary bonus, and stock options.

Onsite role with long days and light travel. Responsibilities include month-end close, plant GLs, A/P/A/R, payroll for 100–125 employees, revenue and cost accounting, and ERP migration

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 5+ years in accounting/finance with 2–3 years in plant-level controller/manager roles at manufacturing.
• Hands-on cost and inventory accounting experience is critical.
• Payroll management experience for at least 50 employees (Kronos preferred).
• Experience leading a team and prioritizing work across staff.

Responsibilities

• Month-end close for the plant, including GL reconciliations and accruals.
• Prepare plant-level balance sheet and P&L for the GL accounts.
• Manage A/P (~200 payments) and A/R (~100 invoices) and payroll for 100–125 staff.
• Own revenue recognition and cost accounting, including standard costing and variance analysis.
• Oversee inventory accounting, FIFO/LIFO valuation, obsolescence reserves and physical counts.
• Assist Corporate Controller with banking and audits.
• Support ERP migration planned for 2027.
• Identify credit exposure by reviewing A/R aging and credit limits.
• Suggest process improvements and support FP&A and reporting initiatives.

Skills

Cost accounting

Inventory accounting

Payroll management

People management

Excel

ERP experience

Education

B.S. in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Oracle ERP

Syspro

Job description

A growing, publicly-listed manufacturing company is hiring a 'hands on' Assistant Controller for its manufacturing facility in the Wichita Metro Area. This is the highest level Accounting employee at the plant. Manage and mentor a team of 3 based onsite, work closely with the Plant General Manager based onsite, and report directly to the Corporate Controller based out of state.

Salary to ~$125k (maybe a bit more), plus 401k & ESOP, plus discretionary bonus & stock options / RSUs grants, and employees pay only $300/month for family medical coverage!

The work is onsite with terrific work hours of ~8-9 hours/day outside of the monthly close, and ~8-10 hours/day during the close ~1 week/month. Some very light U.S. travel maybe 2-3 times a year.

My client will consider candidates at the Accounting Manager level, and those with a Senior Accountant title with experience and responsibilities functioning at the Manager level, who are ready to advance to the Assistant Controller, Plant level.

Main Responsibilities:

• Month-end plant financial close, including preparation of GL account reconciliations, accruals, etc.
• Preparation of balance sheet and P&L for plant-based GL accounts (one GL, no consolidation)
• Manage and monitor A/P (~200 vendor payments per month), A/R (~100 customer invoices per month), day-to-day accounting operations, and payroll for the plant's 100-125 non-union employees
• Own / perform revenue recognition which is straightforward (recognized upon shipment)
• Own / perform cost accounting, including standard costing of materials, actual to standard materials variance analysis, etc.
• Own / perform inventory accounting, including proper FIFO/LIFO valuation, reserves for obsolete inventory and monthly physical count process
• Assist Corporate Controller with banking activities
• Assist Corporate Controller with internal and external audits
• Have a key role in the migration from Oracle to a new ERP in 2027
• Assist in identifying potential customer credit exposure by actively reviewing A/R aging and credit limits
• Continuously monitor and propose improvements to processes and procedures
• Participate in ad-hoc accounting, FP&A, reporting and systems initiatives and projects in support of the overall business unit

Main Requirements:

• B.S. in Accounting or Finance
• At least 5 years of relevant accounting, reporting and analysis experience performing the requirements noted above, INCLUDING at least 2-3 years of relevant Plant Controller / Assistant Controller / Accounting Manager / Senior Accountant experience at a manufacturing company that 'OWNS' THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS (NOT outsourced to third party contract manufacturers).
• 'Hands on' cost and inventory accounting experience is critical.
• Experience managing payroll for at least 50 employees, preferably using Kronos
• Experience managing & prioritizing the work of others and reviewing their work
• User experience with large ERPs
• Strong in Excel

Preferred:

• Experience as the Accounting point person / SME for an ERP migration

A Plus:

• Oracle and Syspro user experience

PLEASE NOTE:

Experience at companies that outsource the manufacturing process to third party / contract manufacturers is NOT applicable and not a fit for this role.

PLEASE NOTE:

This client is NOT open to sponsorship. Candidates who are not legally authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer will not be considered or contacted. Candidates living within the greater Wichita Metropolitan Area is strongly preferred.