Plant Controller- Manufacturing

6 Degrees Search; Backus (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

6 Degrees Search in Backus, MN seeks an experienced plant finance leader to own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close, cost accounting, budgeting, and performance analysis.

You will partner with the Plant Manager and operations leadership to drive profitability, maintain internal controls, and ensure GAAP compliance.

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for the plant.
• Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

Budgeting

Forecasting

GAAP knowledge

Variance analysis

Manufacturing finance

Excel modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

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