Plant Controller, Cost Controller

Jobtailor; Chicago Heights (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a Finance Analyst to oversee cost accounting, profitability analysis and budgeting for manufacturing operations. You will partner with production, purchasing and sales to optimize costs and drive better margins.

The role requires 3+ years manufacturing accounting experience and strong ERP (SAP) skills, plus advanced Excel. You will analyze data, prepare budgets, and support cost-reduction initiatives across departments.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in accounting, business or finance; CPA/CMA asset but not required.
• Minimum 3+ years accounting experience, ideally in manufacturing.
• Experience with financial planning and analysis.
• Understanding of cost accounting methodologies.
• Ability to analyze data and articulate opportunities for improvement and risk.
• Advanced Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills.
• Experience with ERP systems, ideally SAP.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills and sound judgement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze profitability by product, project, and customer.
• Lead month-end procedures and prepare internal management reports.
• Prepare internal budgets and monitor actual results against budget.
• Prepare quarterly revenue forecasts in collaboration with the production team.
• Review and reconcile labor reports and analyze actuals vs production benchmarks.
• Monitor inventory costing, balance and movement.
• Collaborate with Purchasing, HR and Sales to optimize costs.
• Manage product costing in SAP and review standard costs monthly.
• Identify cost saving opportunities and assist with process improvements.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

ERP SAP

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance

Tools

SAP

Job description

Responsibilities

• Complies with all Nortrak safety policies and regulations
• Complete month-end procedures and prepare internal management reports
• Analyze profitability by product, project, and customer
• Lead monthly financial reviews with the CFO, VP Controlling, Plant Manager, and other departments
• Support process improvement initiatives and assist with cost saving plans
• Perform profitability and cost analyses for a variety of projects, investments and products
• Assist decision making at a plant level with regular and ad-hoc analyses
• Prepare internal budgets and monitor actual results against budget
• Prepare quarterly revenue forecasts in collaboration with the production team
• Work closely with Purchasing, HR and Sales to optimize cost, pricing and overhead
• Manage product costing in SAP and review standard costs on a monthly basis
• Review and reconcile labor reports and analyze actuals vs production benchmarks
• Monitor inventory costing, balance and movement
• Collaborate with Production Team in managing inventory counts and various operations
• Identify, investigate and resolve costing and labor variances with different groups
• Ad-hoc reporting and financial management tasks as required
• Support plant team with analytical and financial tasks
• Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies at the plant level
• Monitor vendor invoices, provide classification and address errors
• Monitor and resolve sales order issues with Sales and Account Managers
• Ensure all costing is current, accurate and complete
• Manage deadlines and prioritize bids based on complexity, priority and risks
• Maintain knowledge of state-of-practice
• Identify and recommend cost effective material, design and process options
• Liaise with sub-trades for quotations and analyze quotes compared to historical data
• Use financial and non-financial data to make informed assumptions for costing

Requirements

• Undergraduate Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance or equivalent – CPA or CMA would be an asset but not required
• Minimum of 3+ years of accounting experience, ideally in manufacturing
• Experience with financial planning and analysis
• Understanding of cost accounting methodologies
• Ability to analyze financial and non-financial data and be able to clearly articulate opportunities for improvement and/or risk areas
• Advanced Excel, Word and Power Point skills
• Experience with ERP systems – ideally SAP
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills combined with sound professional judgement
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in financial planning and analysis, cost accounting methodologies, and profitability analysis, with a strong focus on collaboration across departments to optimize costs and improve processes. Proficient in managing budgets, forecasting, and utilizing ERP systems like SAP for effective financial management.