Plant Controller

Brilliant®; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Brilliant is seeking an experienced Plant Controller to lead financial operations at our Itasca, IL facility. You will partner with plant leadership to drive accounting, cost management, budgeting, and reporting, while delivering actionable insights to improve profitability and operational performance.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong manufacturing accounting background, and the ability to translate financial data into strategic guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience as Plant Controller or similar leadership role.
• Strong costing, inventory, and variance analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee plant-level accounting and financial operations, including month-end close and reporting.
• Lead cost accounting activities: standard costing, inventory valuation, variances, COGS.
• Partner with plant leadership to evaluate operations, identify cost-saving opportunities, improve profitability.
• Analyze manufacturing variances related to labor, materials, overhead, and efficiency.
• Develop and monitor plant KPIs, providing financial insights for decisions.
• Manage annual budgets, forecasts, capex, and working capital programs.
• Maintain strong internal controls, GAAP compliance, and policies.
• Oversee inventory controls, counts, reconciliations, and accuracy.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for efficiency and cost reduction.
• Lead and develop plant accounting personnel with corporate finance.

Skills

Manufacturing accounting

Cost accounting

Budgeting & forecasting

GAAP compliance

Leadership

Financial analysis

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

We are partnering with a growing manufacturing organization seeking an experienced Plant Controller to lead financial operations at one of its key facilities. This individual will serve as a strategic business partner to plant leadership, overseeing accounting operations, cost management, financial reporting, and operational performance.

The ideal candidate brings a strong manufacturing accounting background, hands-on leadership experience, and the ability to translate financial data into actionable business insights.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all plant-level accounting and financial operations, including month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Lead cost accounting activities, including standard costing, inventory valuation, variance analysis, and cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Partner closely with plant leadership to evaluate operational performance, identify cost-saving opportunities, and improve profitability.
• Analyze manufacturing variances related to labor, materials, overhead, and production efficiency.
• Develop and monitor plant KPIs, providing financial insights to support operational decision-making.
• Manage annual budgets, financial forecasts, capital expenditures, and working capital initiatives.
• Maintain strong internal controls, ensuring compliance with GAAP and corporate accounting policies.
• Oversee inventory controls, physical inventory counts, reconciliations, and inventory accuracy.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, cost reduction, and process optimization.
• Lead, mentor, and develop plant accounting personnel while collaborating with corporate finance leadership.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience as a Plant Controller, Assistant Controller, Cost Accounting Manager, or similar manufacturing finance leadership role.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing variances, and operational financial analysis.
• Experience managing budgeting, forecasting, month-end close, and financial reporting.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with operations and influence business decisions.
• Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills.

What We're Looking For:

A hands-on finance leader who enjoys being close to the business and working directly with operations. This position is ideal for someone who can balance traditional controllership responsibilities with strategic financial analysis, process improvements, and operational decision support.