Plant Controller

Accentuate Staffing; Zebulon (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A staffing agency is seeking a Plant Controller for a client in Zebulon, NC. This role oversees financial activities including cost accounting and reporting at a manufacturing facility. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, hands-on expertise in cost accounting, and the ability to communicate financial insights effectively. The role involves budgeting, forecasting, and leading financial processes to support operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong hands-on experience with manufacturing and cost accounting.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead the annual plant budget and periodic forecasting processes.
• Supervise and develop plant accounting staff.

Skills

Financial management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Cost accounting

Education

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

CPA, CMA, or MBA

Tools

ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)

Advanced Excel

Job description

Accentuate Staffing is seeking a Plant Controller for our client in Zebulon, NC 27597. The Plant Controller is responsible for overseeing all financial activities at the manufacturing facility, ensuring accurate cost accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls. This role partners closely with plant leadership to drive operational efficiency, cost control, and informed decision-making.

Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for the plant
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and internal controls
• Lead month‑end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, and variance analysis
• Support audits (internal and external) and ensure timely resolution of findings

Manufacturing & Cost Accounting

• Maintain and improve standard cost systems, including BOMs, routings, labor, and overhead
• Analyze and report on manufacturing variances (material, labor, overhead, PPV, absorption)
• Oversee inventory accounting, including cycle counts, physical inventories, and valuation
• Ensure accurate product costing and margin analysis
• Partner with operations to identify cost reduction and efficiency improvement opportunities

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual plant budget and periodic forecasting processes
• Track and analyze performance versus budget and forecast
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to plant management

Operational & Strategic Support

• Act as a financial business partner to the Plant Manager and operations leadership
• Evaluate capital expenditures, ROI analyses, and cost‑benefit studies
• Support pricing, make/buy decisions, and new product introductions

Leadership & Controls

• Supervise and develop plant accounting staff
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls over plant financial activities
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes and systems

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (required)
• CPA, CMA, or MBA (preferred)
• 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong hands‑on experience with manufacturing and cost accounting
• Experience with standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory accounting
• Prior plant‑level or operations‑facing finance experience strongly preferred
• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations and cost drivers
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and financial modeling skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to partner with non‑financial leaders
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar) and advanced Excel skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment