Plant Controller

THE PANTHER GROUP; Parsons (KS); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

THE PANTHER GROUP's client seeks an experienced Plant Controller to join the leadership team at a Kansas manufacturing facility. This high-visibility role partners with the Plant Director and Operations to drive financial performance and operational excellence.

You will manage plant accounting, monthly close, cost accounting, revenue recognition, and budgeting; mentor the accounting team and collaborate with production, supply chain, and engineering to support growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience within manufacturing.
• Controller or Plant Controller experience preferred.
• Experience with U.S. GAAP, budgeting, forecasting, and CAS/FAR familiarity is a plus.
• Strong leadership and people development skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary finance business partner to the Plant Director and Operations leadership.
• Lead all plant accounting and financial reporting activities, including monthly close and financial statement prep.
• Prepare annual budgets, monthly forecasts, variance analyses, and capital expenditure reporting.
• Ensure SOX compliance and internal controls across site accounting.
• Mentor and develop the plant accounting team while partnering with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Finance leadership

Business partnering

Data-driven analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Operational finance

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

CPA

CMA

MBA

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Cost accounting systems

Job description

Our client, a leading manufacturer serving the aerospace, defense, and industrial markets, is seeking an experienced Plant Controller to join its leadership team at a manufacturing facility. This is a highly visible leadership role partnering closely with the Plant Director and Operations team to drive financial performance, operational excellence, and strategic decision-making. The Controller serves as a key member of the site leadership team, providing financial insight, ensuring compliance, and helping guide business growth within a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary finance business partner to the Plant Director and Operations leadership.
• Lead all plant accounting and financial reporting activities, including monthly close, financial statement preparation, account reconciliations, and reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Prepare annual budgets, monthly forecasts, variance analyses, and capital expenditure reporting.
• Partner with operations to improve financial performance through data‑driven analysis and operational insights.
• Partner directly with executive and operational leadership to drive business performance.
• Review customer contracts with a focus on revenue recognition and cost matching principles.
• Manage product costing activities, including labor utilization, overhead rates, inventory analysis, and manufacturing cost reporting.
• Support pricing activities by developing current and future cost estimates for customer proposals.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, SOX requirements, and company accounting policies.
• Coordinate internal and external audits while maintaining strong financial controls and reporting accuracy.
• Develop, mentor, and lead the plant accounting team.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with production, supply chain, engineering, and customer support teams to drive continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous Controller or Plant Controller experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting a publicly traded manufacturing organization preferred.
• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and manufacturing cost accounting.
• Experience with revenue recognition (ASC 606 preferred).
• Knowledge of internal controls, SOX compliance, and both internal and external audit processes.
• Strong leadership experience with the ability to develop and mentor accounting staff.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience working within ERP systems.
• Experience with legacy manufacturing ERP systems is a plus.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and business partnering skills.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or contract manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with government accounting, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) is a plus.