Plant Controller-Fontanini Foods

Financeroles; McCook (IL); On-site; USD 103,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Annual merit increases, bonuses and/or

Profit sharing

401(k) with employer match

Stock purchase plan

Paid time off

Tuition support for dependents

Job summary

Hormel Foods Corporation, Fontanini operations in McCook, IL, seeks a Plant Controller to supervise accounting functions and provide financial leadership to plant operations under GAAP. You will analyze results, deliver concise insights on key metrics, and drive continuous improvement with plant staff.

The role requires 4+ years in manufacturing accounting, CPA/CMA progress, and strong cost/inventory knowledge. Base pay ranges with full benefits at Hormel Foods.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of manufacturing accounting experience with ownership of cost accounting or variance analysis.
• CPA or CMA certification (or progress toward certification).
• Experience supervising or coordinating a small team.
• Strong knowledge of inventory accounting, fixed assets, and period-end closing processes.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, or reforecast processes.
• Demonstrated involvement in process improvements or Lean/CI initiatives.
• Ability to translate financial analysis into operational insights.
• Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Provides plant leadership with timely, accurate financial reporting and analysis, including P&L estimates, reforecasts, period reports, costing reports, and capital requests.
• Serves as the functional expert for key financial and operational systems.
• Ensures adherence to policy and internal controls, including fixed asset audits and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Oversees cost accounting, general accounting, payroll, fixed assets, accounts payable, inventory tracking, production reporting, and standard costing.
• Provides coaching and mentorship to accounting staff to build plant knowledge and career growth.
• Leads COGS and manufacturing variance analysis to understand cost drivers and trends.
• Partners with plant leadership to evaluate performance and identify process improvements.
• Leads manufacturing variance planning for the Annual Operating Plan and quarterly reforecasts.

Skills

Manufacturing accounting

Variance analysis

Cost accounting

Team leadership

Budgeting/forecasting

Lean/CI initiatives

Operational insight translation

US work authorization

Education

CPA or CMA certification

Job description

Plant Controller – Fontanini (McCook, IL)

About Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, HORMEL®NATURAL CHOICE®, APPLEGATE®, WHOLLY®, HORMEL®BLACK LABEL®, COLUMBUS®, JENNIE-O®and more than 30 other beloved brands. The Company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report and one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com

Position Overview:

The Plant Controller supervises and leads all location accounting functions while providing guidance and financial leadership to plant operations to ensure compliance with Hormel internal policies and GAAP. Reports and analyzes business results, providing management with clear, concise insights on key metrics impacting performance. Conducts financial and operational analysis to support decision‑making, identify risks and opportunities, and drive continuous improvement. Works alongside plant staff to safeguard all company assets.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides plant leadership with timely, accurate financial reporting and analysis, including weekly/period P&L estimates, quarterly reforecasts, period management reports, costing reports, operational activity reporting, and capital appropriation requests.
• Serves as the functional expert for key financial and operational systems.
• Ensures adherence to company policy and internal controls to protect all company assets, including oversight of fixed asset audits, expense review, yield and supply variance analysis, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Manages and oversees all office and accounting functions, including cost accounting, general accounting, payroll, fixed assets, accounts payable, inventory tracking, production reporting, and standard costing.
• Provides coaching, development, and mentorship to accounting staff, ensuring strong plant knowledge and supporting future career growth.
• Leads COGS and manufacturing variance analysis to understand cost drivers, identify trends, evaluate the financial impact of labor and overhead changes, and ensure accurate and insightful COGS reporting for both plant and corporate stakeholders.
• Partners with plant leadership to evaluate operational performance, identify opportunities for process improvements, and provide financial insight to support strategic and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Leads manufacturing variance planning for the Annual Operating Plan and quarterly reforecasts, ensuring accurate projections of key cost drivers, clear communication of assumptions, and meaningful analysis of changes that influence plant financial performance.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• 4+ years of manufacturing accounting experience with demonstrated ownership of cost accounting activities or variance analysis.
• CPA or CMA certification (or progress toward certification).
• Experience supervising or coordinating a small team.
• Strong knowledge of inventory accounting, fixed assets, and period-end closing processes.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, or reforecast processes.
• Demonstrated involvement in process improvements or Lean/CI initiatives.
• Ability to translate financial analysis into operational insights.
• Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States.
• Applicants must not now, or in the future, require sponsorship for an employment visa.

LOCATION: McCook, IL

At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base hiring pay range for the role is between $103,100 - $144,400per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location.

BENEFITS:

Other components of Hormel Foods' total compensation package include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, bonuses and profit sharing, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, paid time off, free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.

At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects. We offer a space of support, understanding, and community. We are committed to the journey! Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion/

Hormel Foods provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.