Plant Controller

Standard Iron; Town of Hartford (WI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Standard Iron is seeking a Plant Controller for its Wisconsin location, a critical finance leadership role responsible for managing financial activities and supporting operational leadership. The successful candidate will oversee budgeting, financial planning, cost accounting, and enhancements to the finance processes.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, strong analytical skills, and experience in a manufacturing setting. The position enhances growth and aligns financial strategies with business objectives.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience.
• 3–5+ years in a leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience in cost accounting and operational finance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary finance leader for the plant, partnering with the Plant Manager.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes.
• Oversee standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation processes.

Skills

Financial modeling

Cost accounting

Operational finance

GAAP knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Education

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

CPA or CMA preferred

MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Position Summary

The Plant Controller is a senior finance leadership role responsible for all financial and accounting activities for Standard Iron’s largest manufacturing location, representing approximately 40% of total revenue. Reporting directly to the CFO, this position serves as the lead finance business partner to the site’s operational leadership during this period of growth and will manage a small team.

The Plant Controller will lead the division’s financial planning, reporting, cost accounting, and operational finance functions, while ensuring alignment with company finance policies and overall business objectives. The Plant Controller plays a critical role in driving financial discipline, strengthening cost visibility, and building scalable processes to support continued growth at the site.

Deeply embedded with location leadership, this role blends strong technical accounting with hands‑on operational finance leadership and operational insight, helping scale processes, improve visibility, and drive profitable growth. The Controller will play a critical role in enhancing cost discipline and building a high‑performing finance function aligned with the company’s growth trajectory.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary finance leader for the plant, partnering with the Plant Manager and leadership team
• Provide financial insights, analysis, and recommendations to drive profitability and operational efficiency
• Translate financial data into actionable strategies to improve margins, pricing, and cost structure

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• With the CFO, lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long‑range planning processes
• Develop and maintain robust financial models and performance metrics (KPIs)
• Analyze variances and provide clear explanations with actionable recommendations
• Monitor revenue, gross margin, labor efficiency, and overhead absorption

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Oversee standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation processes
• Drive continuous improvement in cost accounting processes and systems
• Partner with operations to improve labor productivity, material usage, and scrap reduction

Accounting & Controls

• Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial statements
• Oversee month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close processes for the plant
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with company policies and audit requirements
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors

Operational & Strategic Support

• Evaluate capital expenditure proposals and ROI analysis
• Identify risks and opportunities impacting financial performance
• Participate in cross‑functional initiatives, including supply chain, procurement, and operations planning

Leadership & Talent Development

• Foster a high‑performance, collaborative culture within the plant
• Drive accountability and continuous development within the team

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (required)
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred
• 8 –10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience
• 3 – 5+ years in a leadership role within a manufacturing environment
• Strong experience in cost accounting and operational finance required
• Experience in a mid‑sized or multi‑division manufacturing organization preferred

Technical Skills

• Deep knowledge of GAAP and manufacturing accounting principles
• Expertise in standard costing, inventory management, and variance analysis
• Strong financial modeling and analytical skills
• Experience with ERP systems; advanced Excel skills
• Familiarity with BI tools (e.g., Power BI) is a plus

Leadership & Competencies

• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking ability
• Proven ability to influence cross‑functional leaders and drive change
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Hands‑on, proactive, and results‑oriented mindset
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, growth‑oriented environment