Plant Controller- Manufacturing

The Recruiting Hive; Backus (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Recruiting Hive is seeking a seasoned Plant Controller to lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for our Minnesota manufacturing facility. You will own the cost accounting structure, oversee inventory controls, and perform variance analyses to drive profitability.

Collaborating with the Plant Manager and operations leadership, you will develop the annual budget and rolling forecasts, ensure strict adherence to U.S.

Qualifications

• 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 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.
• 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.

Skills

Cost accounting

US GAAP

Excel & financial modeling

Budgeting & forecasting

Variance analysis

Manufacturing finance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

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