Plant Controller

LHH; Marietta (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH is assisting a growing manufacturing client in identifying a Plant Controller to lead all plant accounting, reporting, budgeting, and cost management at their Ohio facility.

The role partners with plant leadership to optimize operational performance, manage costing, inventory, and internal controls while driving continuous improvement and ERP-driven reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA, CMA or MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of manufacturing accounting experience.
• Experience as Plant Controller or related senior finance role preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant accounting and monthly close processes.
• Partner with plant leadership to analyze performance and drive decisions.
• Manage product costing, standard costing, and variance analysis.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, forecasts, and KPI dashboards.
• Oversee budgeting and forecasting for the facility.
• Ensure accuracy of inventory accounting and cycle counts.
• Drive internal controls and GAAP compliance.
• Collaborate with operations, supply chain, and engineering teams.
• Support cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Cost accounting

Standard costing

Inventory accounting

Variance analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Internal controls

Excel modeling

Pivot tables

XLOOKUP

Financial modeling

Analytical skills

Business partnering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA/CMA/MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle

JD Edwards

Microsoft Dynamics

NetSuite

Plex

Job description

Our client, a growing manufacturing organization, is seeking a Plant Controller to provide financial leadership and operational support for its manufacturing facility. This role serves as a key business partner to plant leadership, overseeing all plant accounting functions, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, inventory management, cost accounting, and operational analysis. The ideal candidate will possess strong manufacturing accounting experience, a deep understanding of cost accounting principles, and the ability to drive process improvements and profitability initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all plant accounting and financial reporting activities, ensuring accurate and timely month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Partner with plant leadership to analyze operational performance, identify improvement opportunities, and support strategic decision‑making.
• Manage product costing, standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, management reports, forecasts, and KPI dashboards.
• Analyze manufacturing variances including labor, material, overhead, scrap, and production efficiency metrics.
• Oversee annual budgeting and forecasting processes for the facility.
• Ensure accuracy of inventory accounting, cycle counts, physical inventories, and reconciliations.
• Monitor capital expenditures and assist with business case development for new equipment and facility investments.
• Drive internal controls and ensure compliance with company policies, GAAP, and audit requirements.
• Partner with operations, supply chain, engineering, and purchasing teams to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and provide financial analysis for cost reduction projects.
• Assist with ERP system enhancements, reporting automation, and process improvement initiatives.
• Manage and mentor accounting staff while fostering a collaborative team environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Prior experience as a Plant Controller, Cost Accounting Manager, Senior Cost Accountant, or Manufacturing Finance Manager preferred.
• Strong knowledge of:
• Cost Accounting
• Standard Costing
• Inventory Accounting
• Manufacturing Variance Analysis
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Internal Controls
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, Plex, or similar platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUPs, and financial modeling.
• Strong analytical, communication, and business partnering abilities.

Preferred Experience

• Multi‑site manufacturing environment.
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Capital project analysis and ROI modeling.
• Experience supporting operations, production, distribution, and supply chain teams.
• Exposure to automotive, aerospace, consumer products, food manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, or engineered products environments.