Plant Controller

Emerge; Whitehall Township (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Benefits from day one

Job summary

Emerge in Whitehall Township, MI, seeks a Plant Controller to partner with the Plant Manager and lead the finance function at the site. The role reports to the Plant Manager, with a dotted line to the Business Unit, and oversees Information Systems, Procurement, and Accounting to ensure the plant has the systems it needs.

You will drive performance improvements, set targets, forecast results, and ensure SOX-compliant financial reporting while mentoring finance staff and coordinating capital

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, and/or Accounting from an accredited institution.
• At least 5 years of relevant finance or controllership experience.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Responsibilities

• Find the main drivers of business improvement and lead improvement opportunities.
• Set performance targets for quality, productivity, delivery, cycle time, inventory optimization, and profitability
• Roll out Business Unit initiatives at the plant level
• Forecast, plan, and analyze business results
• Make sure all corporate and Business Unit financial reporting requirements are met
• Coordinate the capital appropriation process and carry out post-project reviews
• Make sure internal controls meet Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements
• Supervise finance department staff
• Take on other duties as assigned

Skills

Strong cost accounting

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

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

Tools

Oracle

Hyperion

Job description

About The Company

Our client is a Fortune 500 company and global manufacturer of advanced engineered products used in aerospace, high-performance industrial, and transportation applications. They build for performance where it matters most, while focusing on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

Position Summary

The Plant Controller is a business partner to the Plant Manager and leads the finance function at a manufacturing site. The role reports directly to the Plant Manager, with a strong dotted-line reporting relationship to the Business Unit. The Plant Controller oversees Information Systems, Procurement, and Accounting to make sure the facility has the manufacturing systems it needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Find the main drivers of business improvement and lead the work to put improvement opportunities in place
• Work with plant leadership to set performance targets for quality, productivity, delivery, cycle time, inventory optimization, and profitability
• Roll out Business Unit initiatives at the plant level
• Forecast, plan, and analyze business results
• Make sure all corporate and Business Unit financial reporting requirements are met
• Coordinate the capital appropriation process and carry out post-project reviews
• Make sure internal controls meet Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements
• Supervise finance department staff
• Take on other duties as assigned

Role Expectations and Competencies

• Business-Minded Perspective: Understands what the business needs and how decisions affect the P&L, the balance sheet, and future capabilities. Guides capital spending using well-rounded business cases.
• Continually Seeks Data: Has the right information ready to support decisions, both when asked and as part of forward-looking planning.
• Compliance: Stays organized and aware of the legal and local effects of decisions and practices. Prepares for audits ahead of time.
• Engaged and Curious: Spends time on the shop floor to understand operations in depth. Looks for improvements and builds strong partnerships through relationships and understanding. Understands how financial decisions affect operations.
• Analysis: Reviews past decisions and results to learn from them and applies those lessons in future decisions.
• Accountability: Compares business case projections with actual results and works with other leaders to make sure investments succeed.
• Interpretation and Storytelling: Tells a clear story with data. Draws on direct observation and knowledge of the business to explain what the numbers mean
• Prioritization: Understands market and organizational conditions and sets priorities to match. Balances competing demands such as revenue and cost.
• Communication: Shares data, forecasts, and financial information early so individual leaders and the organization can make the best decisions. Gathers information from others and passes it on, acting as a central point of contact.
• Coaching, Mentoring, and Leadership: Develops others formally and informally and supports the organization's talent development strategy. Gives each person direction, feedback, reassurance, encouragement, challenge, and recognition. Encourages employee growth and development and supports reasonable risk-taking. Regularly reviews talent and role fit based on individual and team performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, and/or Accounting from an accredited institution
• At least 5 years of relevant finance or controllership experience
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Proof of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Finance experience in a manufacturing environment
• Plant Controller experience at a manufacturing facility with at least $150 million in annual revenue
• MBA, CMA, and/or CPA
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office.
• Experience with Oracle, Hyperion, or similar systems.
• Skilled in project management, multitasking, and building and running data queries.
• Strong cost accounting skills, including multi-level routing and bill of materials (BOM) costing
• Strong analytical and decision‑making skills
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects on tight deadlines in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment

The compensation range for this role is $150,000 - $165,000 and commensurate with experience. Our client offers exceptional benefits beginning on day one, including a very generous 401(k) match.