Plant Controller C&I

Generac Power Systems Inc; Beaver Dam (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Generac Power Systems Inc. is seeking a Plant Controller to partner with plant and executive leadership to optimize manufacturing cost performance across multiple facilities in the U.S. You will lead forecasting, cost modeling, and KPI reporting to drive profitability and capacity decisions.

The candidate will develop a Senior Financial Analyst, coach the team, and support budgeting and quarterly forecasting. Strong ERP, SAP and BI experience are preferred; advanced Excel skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years in manufacturing finance, plant accounting, or similar.
• Experience leading projects or cross-functional teams.
• Experience with ERP systems.
• Strong Excel modeling and data analysis.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across the organization.
• Excellent communication of financial data to non-financial audiences.

Responsibilities

• Partner with plant and executive leadership to improve manufacturing cost performance.
• Prepare and present monthly manufacturing KPIs (labor, variances, COGS).
• Analyze variances and recommend actions to improve performance.
• Monitor spending vs budget and highlight key drivers.
• Lead forecasting, cost modeling, and what-if scenarios for capacity planning.
• Coach a Senior Financial Analyst and drive team development.
• Support annual budget and quarterly forecasts.
• Develop labor and overhead forecasts for strategic planning.
• Collaborate with Operations to fix process issues.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical thinking

Business partnering

Leadership

Communication

Education

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

Tools

SAP

Business Intelligence (BI)

Job description

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us?

The Plant Controller is a key strategic business partner responsible for driving financial performance across multiple U.S. manufacturing facilities. In this highly visible role, you'll work closely with executive and operations leaders to deliver insights that influence cost management, capacity planning, make-versus-buy decisions, and manufacturing footprint optimization. You'll lead forecasting and cost modeling initiatives, provide actionable recommendations to improve profitability and operational efficiency, and develop a Senior Financial Analyst while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who combines strong financial expertise with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive business results.

Major Responsibilities:

• Partner with plant and executive leadership to analyze and improve manufacturing cost performance.
• Prepare and present monthly manufacturing KPIs, including labor efficiencies, material variances, spending variances, and cost of goods produced.
• Deliver clear analysis of manufacturing variances and recommend actions to improve performance.
• Monitor spending against budget and provide insights into key drivers and deviations.
• Develop financial models and "what-if" scenarios to support production transfers, capacity planning, and make-versus-buy decisions.
• Lead, coach, and develop a Senior Financial Analyst while fostering team growth and engagement.
• Support annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes.
• Build and maintain labor and overhead forecasts that support strategic planning.
• Partner with Operations to identify transaction or process issues and implement corrective actions.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Education Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Work Experience 5+ years of experience in manufacturing finance, plant accounting, or a similar environment.
• Experience leading projects, initiatives, or cross-functional teams.
• Experience working with ERP systems.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced Excel skills with the ability to build and maintain complex financial models.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and business partnering skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex financial data to non-financial audiences.
• Proven ability to translate metrics into meaningful business insights and recommendations.
• Self-starter who can successfully manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Work Experience SAP and Business Intelligence (BI) experience.
• Cost accounting and manufacturing finance experience.
• Experience within a global manufacturing organization.
• Knowledge of standard costing and manufacturing variance analysis.

Why Join Us?

Serve as a trusted advisor to executive and plant leadership.

Make a direct impact on strategic manufacturing decisions and business performance.

Lead high-visibility financial initiatives with enterprise-wide influence.

Develop people, drive continuous improvement, and help shape the future of manufacturing operations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls.
• The employee is regularly required to stand and walk.
• On occasion, the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend, or reach above the shoulders.
• The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasional travel.

“We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us?

As one of the leaders and largest suppliers of power generation equipment and technology, the work we do touches millions of lives. Employees at Generac are encouraged to be innovative and are valued as an integral part of our global team. Our challenging goals develop knowledgeable employees dedicated to helping continue Generac’s success. Generac provides individuals the opportunity to work in a fast-paced agile work environment where their work makes a difference in people’s lives and their own.