Plant Controller

Movement Search & Delivery; Sandusky (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Movement Search & Delivery seeks a hands-on Plant Controller to lead the financial operations for a single manufacturing facility. This role acts as the financial business partner to plant leadership, overseeing accounting, cost accounting, inventory, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and operational analysis.

The incumbent will drive monthly closes, analyze performance, and support continuous improvement initiatives on the shop floor and with senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in accounting/finance or related field.
• 5+ years of accounting or finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting, inventory management, standard costing, and variance analysis.
• Experience leading month-end close and preparing financial statements.
• Budging, forecasting, and financial analysis experience.
• ERP system experience required.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to partner effectively with operations and communicate financial information to non-financial leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly close process, including journal entries and reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reporting packages.
• Analyze plant financial performance and explain key drivers of results.
• Ensure compliance with accounting policies, controls, and reporting requirements.
• Support annual audits and corporate reporting activities.
• Develop and monitor plant KPIs related to cost, inventory, productivity, and profitability.
• Partner with operations to improve inventory accuracy and drive cost reduction.

Skills

Cost accounting

Inventory management

Variance analysis

Month-end close

Financial analysis

Excel

Operational partnering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA, CMA, or MBA a plus

Tools

ERP system experience

Job description

Reports To: Plant Manager with dotted-line reporting to Corporate Finance

Position Summary

Our client is seeking a hands-on Plant Controller to lead the financial operations for a single manufacturing facility. This position serves as the key financial business partner to plant leadership, providing oversight of accounting, cost accounting, inventory, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and operational analysis.

The Plant Controller will play a critical role in driving plant performance, supporting operational decision-making, and ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working both on the manufacturing floor and with senior leadership, leveraging financial data to improve profitability and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly close process, including journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reporting packages.
• Analyze plant financial performance and explain key drivers impacting results.
• Ensure compliance with accounting policies, internal controls, and reporting requirements.
• Support annual audits and corporate reporting activities.

Cost Accounting & Inventory Management

• Maintain and analyze standard costs, labor costs, material costs, and manufacturing overhead.
• Monitor and analyze manufacturing variances, including labor, material, scrap, efficiency, and inventory variances.
• Partner with operations to improve inventory accuracy and strengthen inventory controls.
• Support physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and margin improvement.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process for the facility.
• Develop monthly forecasts and provide financial guidance to leadership.
• Perform financial modeling and operational analysis to support decision-making.
• Track capital expenditures and support ROI analysis for capital investments.
• Develop and monitor plant KPIs related to cost, inventory, productivity, and profitability.

Operations Partnership

• Serve as a strategic financial partner to the Plant Manager and plant leadership team.
• Provide actionable financial insights to support operational improvements.
• Participate in daily, weekly, and monthly plant review meetings.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through financial analysis and performance tracking.
• Assist leadership in identifying risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of accounting or finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting, inventory management, standard costing, and variance analysis.
• Experience leading month-end close and preparing financial statements.
• Proven budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis experience.
• ERP system experience required.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to partner effectively with operations and communicate financial information to non-financial leaders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive, plastics, or high-volume manufacturing experience preferred.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA a plus.
• Experience supporting lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.