Plant Controller: Drive Profitability & Operational Impact

Professional Recruiting Consultants, Inc.; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Professional Recruiting Consultants, Inc. seeks an experienced Plant Controller for our Illinois manufacturing client.

This role partners with plant leadership to drive profitability, manage standard and product costing, and lead the accounting team in delivering accurate financial reporting. The ideal candidate has 7–10 years as a Controller in manufacturing, with strong Excel and ERP proficiency, and a proven track record of improving financial and operational performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7–10 years of Controller/Plant Controller experience in manufacturing.
• Financial leadership experience in a complex manufacturing operation.
• Strong background in manufacturing accounting, standard costing, budgeting, forecasting.
• Experience partnering with manufacturing operations to improve financial and operational performance.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP accounting systems.
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting, capital expenditures, cost accounting, and internal controls.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing accounting or finance teams.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills with ability to influence senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead all financial operations for the manufacturing facility, ensuring accurate, timely, and reliable financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, performance reports, and management analysis.
• Develop the annual operating budget, business plan, and financial forecasts while monitoring performance against goals.
• Partner with Plant Leadership to provide financial guidance that supports strategic and operational decision-making.
• Analyze plant performance, manufacturing costs, and operating results to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Manage standard costing, product costing, inventory valuation, and cost control processes.
• Monitor operating expenses and recommend initiatives that improve profitability, reduce costs, and strengthen financial performance.
• Lead month-end and year-end close activities with GAAP compliance.
• Oversee physical inventory processes and maintain accurate inventory accounting and controls.
• Prepare financial analyses and business cases supporting capital investment requests and major operational initiatives.
• Optimize plant cash flow through effective financial planning and working capital management.
• Conduct internal audits and ensure compliance with corporate financial controls and regulations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Accounting team with a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support Quality, Environmental, and Material Management Systems by ensuring financial compliance.

Skills

Financial leadership

Manufacturing accounting

Cost accounting

Budgeting & forecasting

Inventory accounting

Internal controls

Leadership

Excel

ERP systems

Capital expenditures

GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Professional Recruiting Consultants, Inc. seeks an experienced Plant Controller for our Illinois manufacturing client.

This role partners with plant leadership to drive profitability, manage standard and product costing, and lead the accounting team in delivering accurate financial reporting. The ideal candidate has 7–10 years as a Controller in manufacturing, with strong Excel and ERP proficiency, and a proven track record of improving financial and operational performance.