Plant Controller

Bright Innovation Labs; Beech (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Bright Innovation Labs is seeking a Plant Controller to partner with Operations, driving manufacturing finance, cost accounting, budgeting, and forecasting in a fast-paced environment. You will develop standard costing, analyze variances, and support continuous improvement initiatives to improve profitability and productivity across production operations.

The role requires extensive experience in manufacturing finance, ERP systems, and BI tools, and a strong emphasis on accuracy and actionable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing finance.
• Cost accounting experience.
• Experience with ERP systems (Deacom, SAP) and BI tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing controlling activities across production operations.
• Maintain standard costing methodologies, BOM structures, labor rates, and overhead allocation.
• Analyze variances: material, labor, yield, scrap, waste, overhead absorption.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and product costing per accounting standards.
• Partner with Plant Leadership to identify cost savings and improve profitability.
• Support month-end close activities related to inventory and manufacturing costs.
• Develop dashboards and scorecards for manufacturing performance (KPI reporting).
• Communicate performance trends to executive leadership and operations teams.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical thinking

Time management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Self-motivated

Education

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

MBA / CPA / CMA or equivalent certification

Tools

Deacom

SAP

Power BI

Job description

SUMMARY / OBJECTIVE

The Plant Controller is a strategic business partner with Operations. The role is responsible for manufacturing controlling, cost accounting, budgeting and forecasting, operational KPI reporting, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. This position will play a critical role in improving profitability, productivity, and operational efficiency while supporting growth in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Manufacturing Finance & Cost Accounting

• Lead all manufacturing controlling activities across production operations.


• Maintain and enhance standard costing methodologies, BOM structures, labor rates, and overhead allocation models.


• Analyze manufacturing variances including material usage, labor, yield, scrap, waste, and overhead absorption.


• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and product costing in compliance with accounting standards.


• Partner with Plant Leadership to identify cost savings opportunities and improve operational profitability.


• Support month-end close activities related to inventory, manufacturing costs, and operational performance.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Lead annual operating plans, budgets, and rolling forecasts for Operations functions.


• Develop financial models and operational scenarios to support capacity planning and investment decisions.


• Provide insights into labor productivity, production efficiency, and cost trends.


• Monitor performance against budget and explain key variances with actionable recommendations.

Operational KPI & Performance Reporting

• Develop and maintain dashboards and scorecards for manufacturing performance.


• Track and report key metrics including:


• Labor efficiency


• OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)


• Yield and waste


• Material consumption


• Production throughputCost per unit


• Inventory turns


• Capacity utilization


• Scrap and rework costs


• Communicate performance trends to executive leadership and operations management.

Business Partnering & Operational Support

• Act as a trusted finance business partner to Operations, Plant Management, Engineering, and Procurement teams.


• Participate in daily, weekly, and monthly operational reviews.


• Provide financial analysis to support strategic initiatives, customer profitability, new product launches, and capital investment projects.


• Influence decision-making through fact-based recommendations and financial insights.

Continuous Improvement

• Support Continuous Improvement initiatives.


• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and optimize manufacturing costs.


• Develop financial analyses and ROI assessments for operational improvement projects.


• Measure and report savings generated through continuous improvement efforts.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company policies, financial controls, and accounting standards.


• Support inventory cycle counts and annual physical inventory processes.


• Assist with internal and external audits related to manufacturing operations.

COMPETENCIES

• Advanced Excel Skills: Expertise in MS Excel, with the ability to use advanced formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis techniques.


• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Strong ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and make recommendations based on data insights.


• Time Management and Organization: Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage a heavy workload in a fast-paced environment.


• Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with internal teams.


• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in pricing and data management.


• Self-Motivated and Independent Work Style: Ability to work independently, set priorities, and manage tasks effectively without direct supervision.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities, but you will collaborate with multiple departments and teams to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of pricing strategies.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job as mentioned above. Employees are regularly exposed to fragrances including perfumes and scented lotions.


• The noise level in the work environment is usually low. The duties of this position do occasionally require the person to be on the production floor where sounds and smells are elevated.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, walk, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.


• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position. The base days are Monday through Friday.

TRAVEL

• No Travel expected

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field


• 8+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing finance


• Cost Accounting experience

PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE LANGUAGE SKILLS

• MBA, CPA, CMA, or equivalent professional certification


• Experience working with ERP systems (Deacom, SAP, or similar)


• Experience within Beauty, Personal Care, Cosmetics, CPG or contract manufacturing industries


• Experience with LEAN Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement methodologies


• Familiarity with Power BI or other business intelligence platforms

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS

• English language and knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. as a pre-condition of employment.

EEO STATEMENT

• Bright Innovation Labs is an equal opportunity employer. Bright Innovation Labs does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

OTHER DUTIES

• Other duties may be assigned