Plant Controller

Monroechamber; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Monroechamber in Madison, WI is seeking a Plant Controller to lead cost analysis and financial oversight in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This on-site role partners with plant leadership, operations, and finance to drive profitability and operational efficiency through data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities include establishing standard costs, tracking production variances, preparing cost reports by product and line, maintaining inventory valuation, and supporting budgeting and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3–5 years of cost accounting experience within a food or perishable goods manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.
• Experience working with ERP systems and inventory management software.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, packaging, and manufacturing overhead.
• Monitor production costs, investigate variances, and provide actionable recommendations to improve profitability.
• Prepare monthly cost reports, margin analyses, and management reporting by product, customer, and production line.
• Maintain accurate inventory valuation, reconcile inventory accounts, and investigate discrepancies.
• Coordinate physical inventory counts and cycle counts while ensuring accurate tracking of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Partner with plant leadership and operations teams to evaluate labor, material, overhead costs, and production efficiency.
• Support new product costing, pricing decisions, and analysis of process, recipe, and packaging changes.
• Prepare inventory and manufacturing-related journal entries and support month-end and year-end close activities.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company accounting policies, and audit requirements.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, cost modeling, and variance analysis to support strategic planning.

Skills

Cost accounting

Variance analysis

ERP systems

Excel proficiency

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Inventory management software

Job description

Position Title: Plant Controller Wage: Based on Experience Are you a detail-oriented accounting professional with experience in perishable goods or food manufacturing? Our client, a growing and innovative manufacturing company in Madison, WI, is seeking a Plant Controller to play a key role in driving operational efficiency, analyzing production costs, and supporting strategic business decisions. This highly visible position works closely with plant leadership, operations teams, and finance to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve profitability. If you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoy turning data into actionable insights, we'd love to hear from you. This is a full-time, on-site, direct hire position that offers a very competitive compensation and benefits package.

Plant Controller Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, packaging, and manufacturing overhead
• Monitor production costs, investigate variances, and provide actionable recommendations to improve profitability
• Prepare monthly cost reports, margin analyses, and management reporting by product, customer, and production line
• Maintain accurate inventory valuation, reconcile inventory accounts, and investigate discrepancies
• Coordinate physical inventory counts and cycle counts while ensuring accurate tracking of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods
• Partner with plant leadership and operations teams to evaluate labor, material, overhead costs, and production efficiency
• Support new product costing, pricing decisions, and analysis of process, recipe, and packaging changes
• Prepare inventory and manufacturing-related journal entries and support month-end and year-end close activities
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company accounting policies, and audit requirements
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, cost modeling, and variance analysis to support strategic planning

Requirements for Plant Controller:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 3-5 years of cost accounting experience within a food or perishable goods manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis
• Experience working with ERP systems and inventory management software
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication skills and attention to detail