Plant Controller (Manufacturing)

ProAmpac; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ProAmpac in Cincinnati is seeking a Plant Controller to own the financial heartbeat of the operation, partnering with Operations to drive performance on the plant floor.

The role leads cost accounting, monthly close, inventory controls, and audits while translating data into actionable insights to improve margins and performance. A hands-on leader, you’ll connect finance to operations, drive Lean improvements, and shape the cost model across the site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s (or Master’s) in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Proven experience as a Plant Controller or senior manufacturing finance leader.
• Deep expertise in cost accounting within a process manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP in manufacturing.
• Experience working inside an ERP environment (Visual, SAP, Oracle, Epicor, D365, etc.).
• Advanced analytical skills. Comfortable pulling data from SQL and building models in Excel.
• Ability to operate at both the strategic level and the transactional level.
• Strong presence on the plant floor. You build relationships, ask questions, and influence outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Be the financial leader on the plant floor
• Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for plant leadership
• Connect production activity, labor, materials, and variances to real business outcomes
• Lead all plant accounting activities in compliance with U.S. GAAP
• Own monthly close, financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, and audit coordination
• Ensure costing integrity across all systems, transactions, and SKUs
• Investigate and explain actual vs. standard variances with precision
• Lead cycle counting and physical inventories with operational alignment
• Ensure work orders are fully burdened and aligned to the corporate cost model
• Strengthen and continuously improve internal controls across inventory and manufacturing
• Conduct ongoing audits of transactions and master data for accuracy and impact
• Analyze cost of goods, run costing studies, and identify margin opportunities
• Lead process improvements using Lean tools (as-is / to-be flow mapping)
• Pull and analyze data from SQL and ERP systems to improve visibility and decision-making
• Partner cross-functionally to drive efficiency, cost reduction, and performance
• Work within ERP (Infor Visual Manufacturing) and support transition to MS Dynamics 365
• Recommend and implement system enhancements
• Develop and deliver ERP and process training to close gaps and elevate team capability
• Lead and coach the Cycle Counter / Inventory Analyst
• Set clear goals, develop capability, and raise the bar on performance
• Establish best practices across accounting, warehousing, and operations support

Job description

You don’t sit in the office waiting for numbers to tell a story. You walk the plant, talk to operators, challenge assumptions, and connect what’s happening on the floor to what’s showing up in the P&L.

If you’ve led accounting in a manufacturing environment and know that cost accuracy starts with operational reality, this role is built for you.

We’re a progressive, growth-oriented manufacturing company looking for a Plant Controller who can own the financial heartbeat of the operation. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll drive accounting, costing, controls, and reporting, while partnering closely with Operations to improve performance.

What You’ll Own

Be the financial leader on the plant floor

• Act as a trusted advisor to Operations, not just a reporter of results
• Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for plant leadership
• Connect production activity, labor, materials, and variances to real business outcomes

Drive accurate, disciplined manufacturing accounting

• Lead all plant accounting activities in compliance with U.S. GAAP
• Own monthly close, financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, and audit coordination
• Ensure costing integrity across all systems, transactions, and SKUs
• Investigate and explain actual vs. standard variances with precision

Own inventory, costing, and controls

• Lead cycle counting and physical inventories with operational alignment
• Ensure work orders are fully burdened and aligned to the corporate cost model
• Strengthen and continuously improve internal controls across inventory and manufacturing
• Conduct ongoing audits of transactions and master data for accuracy and impact

Turn data into operational improvement

• Analyze cost of goods, run costing studies, and identify margin opportunities
• Lead process improvements using Lean tools (as-is / to-be flow mapping)
• Pull and analyze data from SQL and ERP systems to improve visibility and decision-making
• Partner cross-functionally to drive efficiency, cost reduction, and performance

Lead systems and continuous improvement

• Work within ERP (Infor Visual Manufacturing) and support transition to MS Dynamics 365
• Recommend and implement system enhancements
• Develop and deliver ERP and process training to close gaps and elevate team capability

Build and develop your team

• Lead and coach the Cycle Counter / Inventory Analyst
• Set clear goals, develop capability, and raise the bar on performance
• Establish best practices across accounting, warehousing, and operations support

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s (or Master’s) in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Proven experience as a Plant Controller or senior manufacturing finance leader
• Deep expertise in cost accounting within a process manufacturing environment
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP in manufacturing
• Experience working inside an ERP environment (Visual, SAP, Oracle, Epicor, D365, etc.)
• Advanced analytical skills. Comfortable pulling data from SQL and building models in Excel
• Ability to operate at both the strategic level and the transactional level
• Strong presence on the plant floor. You build relationships, ask questions, and influence outcomes

Nice To Have

• CPA
• Experience with BI tools (QlikView, Power Query)
• ERP implementation or migration experience

What Makes You Successful Here

• You don’t accept numbers at face value. You validate them in the operation
• You move easily between the plant floor and the executive table
• You bring structure, discipline, and clarity to complex environments
• You see finance as a driver of performance, not just a function of reporting
• You hold yourself and others accountable, while building trust across the business

Why This Role Matters

This role directly impacts operational performance, cost accuracy, and decision-making. When costing is right, decisions are better. When decisions are better, the business wins.

You won’t be on the sidelines here. You’ll be in it. On the floor. In the data. Driving impact.