PLANT CONTROLLER

Associated Milk Producers Inc; Blair (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive starting pay

PTO

401k

Short-term disability

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

Associated Milk Producers Inc. is seeking a dedicated accounting/finance professional to partner with plant leadership, oversee budgeting, and drive cost improvements across manufacturing operations.

The role requires a bachelor's degree and several years of progressive finance experience, preferably in manufacturing or dairy sectors, with ERP systems (JDE/Oracle) expertise. On-site collaboration across Midwest plants is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or related field is required.
• Three or more years of progressive accounting or finance experience preferred.
• Manufacturing, food production, dairy or consumer packaged goods experience preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems; JDE or Oracle preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary financial business partner to plant leadership, providing analysis and recommendations to improve performance.
• Analyze manufacturing results, inventory performance, labor efficiency, yield, and production costs to identify trends and opportunities.
• Prepare, review, and submit accurate monthly financial statements and reconciliations within corporate deadlines.
• Lead plant budgeting, forecasting, and annual operating plan processes.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools, dashboards, and KPIs for financial and operational visibility.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of inventory valuation and controls.
• Partner with operations to maintain BOMs, product costing, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Monitor spending vs. budget and recommend corrective actions.
• Lead cost-reduction and continuous improvement initiatives in manufacturing and procurement.
• Establish internal controls and ensure compliance with policies and accounting standards.
• Support audits and corrective action plans as necessary.

Skills

Accounting experience

Financial analysis

ERP systems

Manufacturing experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/accounting or related field

Tools

ERP (JDE/Oracle)

Job description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

AMPI owns six Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American-type cheese and processed cheese is produced. The cooperative's award-winning cheese and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co-op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled cheesemakers.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time:

• Serve as the primary financial business partner to plant leadership, providing analysis and recommendations to improve operational and financial performance.
• Analyze manufacturing results, inventory performance, labor efficiency, yield, and production costs to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Prepare, review, and submit accurate monthly financial statements, account reconciliations, variance analyses, and supporting schedules in accordance with corporate deadlines.
• Lead plant budgeting, forecasting, and annual operating plan processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools, dashboards, and KPIs that provide visibility into financial and operational performance.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of inventory valuation, inventory controls, and physical inventory processes.
• Partner with operations and production teams to maintain Bills of Material (BOMs), product costing, manufacturing standards, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze spending against budget, providing timely recommendations and corrective actions when variances occur.
• Lead cost-reduction and continuous improvement initiatives by identifying efficiencies in manufacturing, procurement, inventory management, and plant processes.
• Establish, maintain, and monitor effective internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and accounting standards.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies related to purchasing, fixed assets, record retention, credit cards, and delegated authority.
• Support internal and external audits, including financial, inventory, and operational audits, and oversee corrective action plans as necessary.
• Collaborate with corporate accounting and finance teams to support financial reporting, capital projects, and strategic initiatives.
• Participate in physical inventory counts and periodic inventory verification activities.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or related field required.
• Three or more years of progressive accounting or finance experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Manufacturing, food production, dairy or consumer packaged goods experience preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems. JDE or Oracle preferred.

BENEFITS/REWARDS

AMPI offers competitive starting pay, PTO, 401k, short-term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs and more.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Military service members, veterans, and qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.