Plant Controller

PAC Worldwide; MIDDLETOWN (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

PAC by ProAmpac is seeking a Plant Controller to lead the financial heartbeat on the factory floor in Middletown, Ohio. You will drive accounting, costing, controls, and reporting while partnering with Operations to improve performance.

This hands-on leadership role requires strong cost accounting expertise, GAAP knowledge, and experience with ERP systems. You will own cycle counting, monthly close, and cross-functional cost optimization initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience leading accounting in a manufacturing environment.
• Deep cost accounting expertise in process manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP for manufacturing.
• Proficient with ERP systems and data extraction (SQL).
• Analytical mindset with ability to build financial models in Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant accounting activities in compliance with U.S. GAAP.
• Own monthly close, financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, and audit coordination.
• Ensure costing integrity across systems, transactions, and SKUs.
• Investigate and explain actual vs. standard variances with precision.
• Build and develop the inventory team and implement controls.

Skills

Cost accounting

Manufacturing finance

GAAP

ERP systems

SQL & Excel

Operational partnering

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s in Accounting/Finance

Master’s in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Infor Visual Manufacturing

SAP

Oracle

Epicor

D365

Job description

Description

Plant Controller

Where finance meets the factory floor

You don’t sit in the office waiting for numbers to tell a story. You walk the plant, talk to operators, challenge assumptions, and connect what’s happening on the floor to what’s showing up in the P&L.

If you’ve led accounting in a manufacturing environment and know that cost accuracy starts with operational reality, this role is built for you.

We’re a progressive, growth‑oriented manufacturing company looking for a Plant Controller who can own the financial heartbeat of the operation. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll drive accounting, costing, controls, and reporting, while partnering closely with Operations to improve performance.

What You’ll Own

Be the financial leader on the plant floor

• Act as a trusted advisor to Operations, not just a reporter of results
• Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for plant leadership
• Connect production activity, labor, materials, and variances to real business outcomes

Drive accurate, disciplined manufacturing accounting

• Lead all plant accounting activities in compliance with U.S. GAAP
• Own monthly close, financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, and audit coordination
• Ensure costing integrity across all systems, transactions, and SKUs
• Investigate and explain actual vs. standard variances with precision

Own inventory, costing, and controls

• Lead cycle counting and physical inventories with operational alignment
• Ensure work orders are fully burdened and aligned to the corporate cost model
• Strengthen and continuously improve internal controls across inventory and manufacturing
• Conduct ongoing audits of transactions and master data for accuracy and impact

Turn data into operational improvement

• Analyze cost of goods, run costing studies, and identify margin opportunities
• Lead process improvements using Lean tools (as‑is / to‑be flow mapping)
• Pull and analyze data from SQL and ERP systems to improve visibility and decision‑making
• Partner cross‑functionally to drive efficiency, cost reduction, and performance

Lead systems and continuous improvement

• Work within ERP (Infor Visual Manufacturing) and support transition to MS Dynamics 365
• Recommend and implement system enhancements
• Develop and deliver ERP and process training to close gaps and elevate team capability

Build and develop your team

• Lead and coach the Cycle Counter / Inventory Analyst
• Set clear goals, develop capability, and raise the bar on performance
• Establish best practices across accounting, warehousing, and operations support

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s (or Master’s) in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Proven experience as a Plant Controller or senior manufacturing finance leader
• Deep expertise in cost accounting within a process manufacturing environment
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP in manufacturing
• Experience working inside an ERP environment (Visual, SAP, Oracle, Epicor, D365, etc.)
• Advanced analytical skills. Comfortable pulling data from SQL and building models in Excel
• Ability to operate at both the strategic level and the transactional level
• Strong presence on the plant floor. You build relationships, ask questions, and influence outcomes

Nice To Have

• CPA
• Experience with BI tools (QlikView, Power Query)
• ERP implementation or migration experience

What Makes You Successful Here

• You don’t accept numbers at face value. You validate them in the operation
• You move easily between the plant floor and the executive table
• You bring structure, discipline, and clarity to complex environments
• You see finance as a driver of performance, not just a function of reporting
• You hold yourself and others accountable, while building trust across the business

Why This Role Matters

This role directly impacts operational performance, cost accuracy, and decision‑making. When costing is right, decisions are better. When decisions are better, the business wins.

You won’t be on the sidelines here. You’ll be in it. On the floor. In the data. Driving impact.

Working At PAC

PAC by ProAmpac manufactures packaging materials and supplies packaging automation equipment for some of the world’s top retailers. For over 40 years, we have maintained a commitment to producing high‑quality products while remaining dedicated to corporate responsibility and employee wellness. PAC promotes open communication and comprehensive employee wellness through our PACLife initiative. PACLife’s CARE, CONNECT, CREATE initiative is targeted at our most important asset, our employees. Through PACLife we seek to enhance the life, relationships and future of every PAC employee. PACLife is about connecting with our employees on a level that goes beyond simple work output so, together, we can create a company where we are all proud to belong.

PAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Request an accommodation here: [email protected]