Plant Controller

Lakeside Recruiting Solutions; Kenosha (WI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Lakeside Recruiting Solutions seeks a Plant Controller in Wisconsin to lead month-end close, cost and inventory reconciliations, and general ledger entries, ensuring GAAP compliance and strong internal controls. You will partner with plant management and corporate, support standard cost development, capital planning, and SOX alignment, and mentor accounting staff to improve processes.

This hands-on, on-site leadership role requires clear communication, analytical insight, and a drive to optimize

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field.
• Experience in manufacturing accounting roles with cost accounting focus.
• Experience in manufacturing planning & budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and prepare internal financial reporting (weekly pulse checks, monthly performance presentations).
• Support plant management with cost data retrieval and annual standard cost development with corporate.
• Advise plant leadership to provide a clear and accurate picture of financial performance.
• Participate in CI initiatives (Kaizens & A3) with clear financial objectives and tracked results.
• Co-manage capital processes with the project manager and provide guidance on ARs.
• Assess current accounting operations and implement process improvements.
• Review internal controls to ensure SOX alignment.
• Provide operational reporting and analysis on scrap, labor, and overhead costs.
• Review forecasting trends and margin impact for decision making.
• Assist in hiring, training, and retaining accounting staff.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors of plant accounts.

Skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance or related field

Job description

The Plant Controller will lead the financial processes of the month-end close, cost variance reconciliations, inventory reconciliations, general ledger entries (as required), standard cost reconciliations, changes in Fixed Assets (ensure control and integrity of company assets) and forecast adjustments to budget. This role will ensure all plant accounting activities comply with GAAP, company polices, and sound business practices.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating & preparing internal financial reporting (i.e. - weekly pulse checks, monthly performance presentations, etc.).
• Support plant management with basic training to retrieve cost data out of the system; moreover, providing support to corporate (Group Controller) with the annual standard cost development of plant rates (labor & overhead cost).
• Proactively interact with supervisors, plant management team as well as senior management to ensure all parties have a clear and accurate picture of the plant's overall financial performance. An advisor/mentor on accounting/finance to plant leadership aiding the decision-making process.
• Support CI initiatives (participation in Kaizens & A3 problem solving events), ensuring projects are defined with clear financial objectives & results are tracked and reported accordingly.
• Co-manage along with the project manager the capital process & provide guidance/assistance preparing AR's.
• Assessing current accounting operations, offering recommendations for improvement, and implementing new processes.
• Evaluate plant accounting & internal control systems (review of corporate policies, purchasing authorities, etc. to ensure alignment with SOX).
• Operational reporting & analysis (explanation of scrap, labor & overhead cost)
• Review/Forecasting the trends, cost/benefit, margin impact (make vs. buy, etc.) enhancing the decision making process.
• Hiring, Training and Retaining competent accounting & finance staff as required.
• Coordinating & supporting Internal & External auditors of plant accounts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance or related field of study
• Experience in manufacturing accounting roles with a focus on cost accounting.
• Experience in manufacturing planning & budgeting roles.
• Solid verbal & written communication, analytical & leadership skills.
• Strong fundamental "know-how" in accounting/finance/business related topics.