Plant Controller

Planet Group; Franklin (MA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Group is seeking a Plant Controller to lead the USA manufacturing finance function in Franklin, MA. The role requires redesigning processes, strong cost accounting, and cross-functional partnering to drive profitability and control.

The position offers hybrid work (3 days onsite) with a $125,000–$135,000 base salary plus 10% bonus, and a focus on standardizing workflows using Microsoft 365 tools.

Qualifications

• Seven+ years of accounting and controlling experience, incl. manufacturing.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasts, audits and cross-functional performance reviews.
• Ability to redesign processes and improve data quality.

Responsibilities

• Own the integrity and timeliness of USA financial reporting and close processes.
• Prepare budgets and forecasts; coordinate corrective actions with business leaders.
• Oversee accounting operations: GL, cost, inventory, fixed assets, payroll controls.
• Partner with Plant Manager and leaders to translate financial insights into actions.

Skills

Accounting

Cost accounting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Team leadership

Business partnering

Process redesign

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance or related

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

ERP systems

Copilot / Automation tools

Job description

Plant Controller

Direct Hire

Salary: $125-135k

Additional Compensation: 10% bon

Hybrid (3 days onsite) - Franklin, MA

Must Haves

• 7+ years in Accounting
• Manufacturing industry experience
• BS degree in Accounting, Finance or related
• Experience from a company/division/business unit of $20 million+
• Ability to redesign processes
• Some ERP

Plus

• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Project Management
• Small-mid size company experience
• Use of Automation tools (AI)
• Multi-site and/or global exposure

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Job Description

Position Summary

The Plant Controller is the financial leader for the USA manufacturing operation and is accountable for accurate reporting, effective controls, reliable planning, strong cash and working‑capital discipline, and decision support to plant leadership. The Controller leads the local Finance team, develops the Senior Accountant and other assigned staff, and converts financial and operational information into actions that improve profitability and execution. A central expectation is to review and redesign finance processes, standardize work and use Microsoft Copilot and approved Microsoft 365 tools responsibly to reduce repetitive activity, improve the quality and speed of analysis, and create capacity for higher‑value business partnering.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the integrity, timeliness and completeness of USA financial reporting and ensure monthly, quarterly and annual close requirements are met according to the company's schedules and policies.
• Prepare USA budget and forecasts; challenge assumptions, explain deviations and coordinate corrective actions with accountable business leaders.
• Oversee accounting operations, including general ledger, cost accounting, inventory, fixed assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable oversight, payroll controls and cash-related activities.
• Analyze revenue, contribution margin, direct and indirect manufacturing costs, SG&A, working capital and cash flow; communicate the drivers, risks, opportunities and required actions. Builds required reports to guarantee this is accomplished.
• Act as a proactive business partner to the Plant Manager and functional leaders across Operations, Sales, HR and other functions. Participate in operational reviews, constructively challenge assumptions, quantify options and ensure decisions include clear financial implications.
• Lead product‑costing governance, inventory valuation and manufacturing‑variance analysis. Ensure recurring costing, transaction or master‑data issues are resolved at source. Support sales teams with pricing activities.
• Provide a critical view of spending and investment proposals, identify outliers and support disciplined capital allocation and post‑investment follow‑up.
• Partner with Operations and Continuous Improvement to quantify project benefits, establish baselines, validate savings and monitor whether expected results are achieved.
• Coordinate year‑end financial audits, tax audits and advisor relationships; oversee compliance with applicable federal, state and local reporting and tax requirements.
• Maintain an effective internal‑control environment, including clear ownership, evidence, segregation of duties, issue escalation and timely remediation.
• Lead the end‑to‑end review of priority Finance processes. Eliminate unnecessary work, simplify and standardize workflows, clarify ownership and controls, and approve the future‑state design before automation.
• Use Microsoft Copilot and other approved Microsoft 365 capabilities to support repetitive functions, including first‑pass analysis, exception summaries, procedure drafting, workflow documentation and recurring management commentary. Establish review controls so that all AI‑assisted outputs are validated, traceable and appropriate for confidential financial information.
• Lead, coach and develop the local Finance team. Set clear standards, review work quality, support cross‑training and succession coverage, and progressively delegate ownership while maintaining accountability.
• Promote a Finance culture focused on accuracy, curiosity, constructive challenge, continuous improvement and service to the business.

Success Measures

• Accurate, timely reporting and a controlled close with fewer late corrections and recurring manual adjustments.
• Forecasts and performance commentary that clearly identify drivers, risks, opportunities, owners and actions.
• Measurable improvements in selected processes, including reduced cycle time or manual effort and stronger control evidence.
• Improved working‑capital, cash and cost visibility, with active follow‑through by accountable business owners.
• A stronger local Finance team with clear responsibilities, current documentation, effective cross‑training and greater ownership by the Senior Accountant.
• Practical, responsible adoption of Copilot and approved automation tools, with validated outputs and no compromise to confidentiality or control.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressive accounting and controlling experience, including manufacturing and team leadership.
• Strong knowledge manufacturing cost accounting, inventory valuation, internal controls and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated experience leading budgets, forecasts, audits and cross‑functional performance reviews.
• Proven ability to redesign processes, improve data quality and deliver measurable efficiency or control improvements.
• Strong communication, leadership and business‑partnering skills, including the ability to challenge constructively and influence action.

Preferred

• ERP experience, preferably Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations.
• Experience with Microsoft Copilot or comparable analytical and automation tools.
• Experience in a multi‑site or global manufacturing organization.
• Lean, continuous‑improvement, project‑management or process‑mapping experience.

Core Competencies

• Financial leadership and controllership | Manufacturing economics and cost accounting | Controls, compliance and risk management
• Business partnering and constructive challenge | Planning, forecasting and action‑oriented performance management
• Process redesign, standardization and measurable improvement | Responsible Copilot and automation leadership
• Team development, delegation and accountability | Clear executive communication | Change leadership and continuous learning

Work Environment

This position is primarily office‐based within a manufacturing plant and requires regular interaction with production, warehouse and maintenance areas. The employee must work safely in an industrial environment and use required personal protective equipment in designated areas. Additional hours may be required during close, budgeting, audits or other peak periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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