Plant Controller- Manufacturing

United Future; Backus (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

United Future in Minnesota is seeking a Plant Controller to lead the financial close, cost accounting, and budgeting for the plant. You will ensure GAAP-compliant financial reporting and partner with plant leadership to drive profitability and operational efficiency.

The role requires deep experience in standard costing, inventory controls, and variance analysis, with strong Excel and financial modeling skills to support strategic decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.
• 5–10+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Prior experience in manufacturing or plant-level finance strongly required.
• Experience in standard cost accounting required.
• Exposure to budgeting, forecasting, and operational financial analysis.
• Experience supporting plant operations or manufacturing leadership teams.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and manufacturing accounting practices.
• Deep understanding of standard costing, inventory controls, and variance analysis.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for the plant ensuring timely financial reporting.
• Prepare and review journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and company accounting policies.
• Maintain integrity of plant balance sheet and income statement.
• Own cost accounting structure including standard costing, inventory valuation, and cost variance analysis.
• Analyze production costs, labor efficiency, material usage, and overhead absorption.
• Monitor and report key manufacturing metrics (cost per unit, scrap and yield, labor utilization, variances).
• Lead the development of the plant’s annual operating budget and periodic forecasts.
• Analyze financial results vs budget/forecast and provide variance analysis.
• Provide insights to improve profitability and operations; partner with Plant Manager.

Skills

Progressive accounting experience

Manufacturing finance knowledge

U.S. GAAP expertise

Standard costing and variance analysis

Budgeting and forecasting

Advanced Excel

Financial modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Excel

Financial modeling

Job description

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for the plant, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and company accounting policies.
• Maintain the integrity of the plant’s balance sheet and income statement.
• Own the plant cost accounting structure, including standard costing, inventory valuation, and cost variance analysis.
• Analyze production costs, labor efficiency, material usage, and overhead absorption.
• Monitor and report on key manufacturing metrics such as: cost per unit, scrap and yield, labor utilization, production variances
• Lead the development of the plant’s annual operating budget and periodic forecasts.
• Analyze financial results against budget and forecast, providing detailed variance analysis.
• Provide plant leadership with insights to improve profitability and operational performance.
• Serve as a key business partner to the Plant Manager and operations leadership team.
• Provide financial analysis to support operational initiatives, productivity improvements, and margin expansion.
• Oversee inventory accounting and controls, including cycle counts and annual physical inventories.
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls over financial reporting and plant operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred
• 5–10+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience
• Prior experience in manufacturing or plant-level finance strongly required
• Experience in standard cost accounting required
• Exposure to budgeting, forecasting, and operational financial analysis
• Experience supporting plant operations or manufacturing leadership teams
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and manufacturing accounting practices
• Deep understanding of standard costing, inventory controls, and variance analysis
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills