Plant Controller

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking an experienced accounting professional to support plant operations with cost accounting, inventory control, payroll, and reporting. You will supervise ledgers, ensure SOX/GAAP compliance, and partner with operations to improve financial performance.

This role requires 5+ years of accounting experience, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, SAP experience, and strong Excel skills. Travel up to 10% may be required as part of cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field.
• Solid understanding of cost accounting concepts.
• SAP experience preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
• Travel up to 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Participate in plant management meetings and core product review meetings.
• Supervise the maintenance of manufacturing, inventory, and finished goods ledgers and cost accounting activities.
• Prepare and analyze unusual items on financial reports.
• Audit payroll distribution and review general ledger accounts monthly.
• Provide SAP, ADC, and other related system training and support.
• Assist in operations improvement activities and inventory reduction.

Skills

Cost accounting concepts

Team management

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Your Opportunity

When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

This position provides accounting support to the production facility including cost accounting, inventory control, accounts payable, payroll, billing, and preparation of plant financial and other control reports. Supervises the maintenance of manufacturing, inventory, and finished goods ledgers and cost accounting activities. Compiles and analyzes operating performance reports. Prepares and analyzes unusual items on financial reports. Sets standards for the conduct of accounting work and required performance and also supervises compliance with such standards. Supervises the preparation and distribution of hourly and salary payrolls, including the maintenance of required earnings, deduction records, and applicable labor performance measure reporting. Supervises the preparation of shipping documents, raw materials, supply, and production inventory accounting.

Core Responsibilities

Operations Teamwork

• Participate in plant management meetings as well as core product review meetings.
• Assist plant management in preparation of quarterly review graphs and routine items.
• Assist in preparing materials for meetings.
• Assist plant management in operations improvement activities.
• Provide SAP, ADC, and other related system training and support.
• Proactively identify opportunities that can make a contribution outside traditional sphere of influence.
• Work actively with purchasing and maintenance departments to reduce inventory balances and free up capital.

Controllership

• Responsible for the protection of company assets (meat, packaging, maintenance supplies, fixed assets, etc.).
• Ensure inventory results and balances are reconciled and valued accurately per corporate policy.
• Ensure compliance with SOX and annual internal auditing.
• Responsible for Internal Order (IO) administration (capital and expense projects).
• Adherence to GAAP.
• Audit payroll distribution, and routinely review general ledger accounts to ensure consistency and accuracy (at least monthly).

Cost Accounting

• Administer the bill of materials (BOM audits and corrections as well as creating and deleting and BOM’s).
• Distribute material and labor variances to plant personnel on a daily basis.
• Report variances to plant and corporate personnel monthly.
• Report monthly to corporate slow moving inventory (MRO and Pkg).
• Spend time on production floor in order to enhance understanding of processes.
• Reporting general ledger entries by 1st preliminary cutoff.

Human Resource Management

• Effectively communicate with staff.
• Manage staff performance.
• Develop staff and cross train.
• And manage overtime.

Qualifications

• At least 5+ years of professional accounting experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field.
• Knowledge of Accounting software, Contact Management systems, Inventory software, manufacturing software, and Microsoft Office, specifically advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel including use of Pivot Tables and analytical tools.
• Solid understanding of cost accounting concepts.
• SAP experience, preferred.
• Solid mathematical and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Requires flexibility and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Interviewing, hiring, and training employees.
• Planning, assigning and directing work.
• Appraising performance.
• Rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The expected pay range for this position is $105,000 - $140,000 annually. Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.

The work environment characteristics and physical demands 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 majority of the time is spent in an office setting outside of the production plant. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision includes close vision and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to sit, use hands to handle, or feel, and talk or hear.

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, Sexual Orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

Relocation Package Available Yes

About Smithfield

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. Responsibly.®" is more than just our tagline; it's what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities. Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percentless than plans offered by other employers. Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more. Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on-demand courses, professional certificates, and skill-based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs. Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent. We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.