Plant Controller

Bright Innovation Labs; New Albany (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Bright Innovation Labs in New Albany, OH, seeks a Plant Controller to partner with Operations and lead manufacturing finance activities. You will manage cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and KPI reporting to drive profitability and efficiency in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities include standard costing, variance analysis, inventory valuation, and month-end close. A Bachelor's in Finance or related field is required; 8+ years in manufacturing finance preferred, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing finance.
• Cost accounting experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing controlling activities across production operations.
• Maintain standard costing methodologies, BOM structures, labor rates, and overhead allocation models.
• Analyze variances: material usage, labor, yield, scrap, waste, overhead absorption.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and product costing per accounting standards.
• Partner with Plant Leadership to identify cost savings and improve profitability.
• Support month-end close activities related to inventory, manufacturing costs, and performance.
• Develop dashboards and scorecards for manufacturing performance.
• Communicate performance trends to executive leadership and operations management.

Skills

Cost accounting

Manufacturing finance

Budgeting & forecasting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration

MBA / CPA / CMA (preferred)

Tools

ERP systems (Deacom, SAP)

Power BI (preferred)

Job description

SUMMARY / OBJECTIVE

The Plant Controller is a strategic business partner with Operations. The role is responsible for manufacturing controlling, cost accounting, budgeting and forecasting, operational KPI reporting, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. This position will play a critical role in improving profitability, productivity, and operational efficiency while supporting growth in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Manufacturing Finance & Cost Accounting

• Lead all manufacturing controlling activities across production operations.


• Maintain and enhance standard costing methodologies, BOM structures, labor rates, and overhead allocation models.


• Analyze manufacturing variances including material usage, labor, yield, scrap, waste, and overhead absorption.


• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and product costing in compliance with accounting standards.


• Partner with Plant Leadership to identify cost savings opportunities and improve operational profitability.


• Support month-end close activities related to inventory, manufacturing costs, and operational performance.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Lead annual operating plans, budgets, and rolling forecasts for Operations functions.


• Develop financial models and operational scenarios to support capacity planning and investment decisions.


• Provide insights into labor productivity, production efficiency, and cost trends.


• Monitor performance against budget and explain key variances with actionable recommendations.

Operational KPI & Performance Reporting

• Develop and maintain dashboards and scorecards for manufacturing performance.


• Track and report key metrics including:


• Labor efficiency


• OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)


• Yield and waste


• Material consumption


• Production throughputCost per unit


• Inventory turns


• Capacity utilization


• Scrap and rework costs


• Communicate performance trends to executive leadership and operations management.

Business Partnering & Operational Support

• Act as a trusted finance business partner to Operations, Plant Management, Engineering, and Procurement teams.


• Participate in daily, weekly, and monthly operational reviews.


• Provide financial analysis to support strategic initiatives, customer profitability, new product launches, and capital investment projects.


• Influence decision-making through fact-based recommendations and financial insights.

Continuous Improvement

• Support Continuous Improvement initiatives.


• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and optimize manufacturing costs.


• Develop financial analyses and ROI assessments for operational improvement projects.


• Measure and report savings generated through continuous improvement efforts.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company policies, financial controls, and accounting standards.


• Support inventory cycle counts and annual physical inventory processes.


• Assist with internal and external audits related to manufacturing operations.

COMPETENCIES

• Advanced Excel Skills: Expertise in MS Excel, with the ability to use advanced formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis techniques.


• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Strong ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and make recommendations based on data insights.


• Time Management and Organization: Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage a heavy workload in a fast-paced environment.


• Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with internal teams.


• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in pricing and data management.


• Self-Motivated and Independent Work Style: Ability to work independently, set priorities, and manage tasks effectively without direct supervision.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities, but you will collaborate with multiple departments and teams to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of pricing strategies.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job as mentioned above. Employees are regularly exposed to fragrances including perfumes and scented lotions.


• The noise level in the work environment is usually low. The duties of this position do occasionally require the person to be on the production floor where sounds and smells are elevated.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, walk, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.


• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position. The base days are Monday through Friday.

TRAVEL

• No Travel expected

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field


• 8+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing finance


• Cost Accounting experience

PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE LANGUAGE SKILLS

• MBA, CPA, CMA, or equivalent professional certification


• Experience working with ERP systems (Deacom, SAP, or similar)


• Experience within Beauty, Personal Care, Cosmetics, CPG or contract manufacturing industries


• Experience with LEAN Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement methodologies


• Familiarity with Power BI or other business intelligence platforms

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS

• English language and knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. as a pre-condition of employment.

EEO STATEMENT

• Bright Innovation Labs is an equal opportunity employer. Bright Innovation Labs does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

OTHER DUTIES

• Other duties may be assigned