Plant Finance Controller, Fairfield, Ohio

Schneider Electric; Fairfield (OH); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

401(k) with matching

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Schneider Electric in Fairfield, Ohio seeks a Plant Finance Controller to lead the site’s financial governance, partnering with the Plant Director to protect gross margin and cash flow.

You will own budgeting, forecasting, cost management, capex, and internal controls, translating operational results into actionable insights and ensuring reliable reporting across manufacturing and supply chain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field required.
• 5+ years of experience in plant controlling, manufacturing finance, project controlling, or a similar role.
• Experience in manufacturing or project environments with understanding of cost drivers.

Responsibilities

• Act as trusted finance partner to the Plant Director and leadership team.
• Drive accountability for plant and supply chain P&L performance, productivity, operating leverage, inventory, working capital, and cash flow.
• Challenge operational performance and support actions that improve gross margin and profitability.
• Lead business reviews and performance discussions, ensuring execution of commitments and corrective actions.
• Translate operational results into actionable financial insights and business recommendations.

Skills

Strong business partnering and Influ-

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field

CPA, CMA or other relevant certification preferred

Tools

Advanced Excel

Oracle ERP

Job description

Schneider Electric has a hybrid opportunity for a Plant Finance Controller in Fairfield, OH.

As the Plant Finance Controller, you will serve as the finance leader and strategic business partner for Modular Data Center manufacturing site, responsible for governance of supply-chain financial performance, plant and project controlling, productivity, operating leverage, capital expenditure and internal controls. The role independently leads the plant finance agenda, challenges operational performance, ensures reliable financial information and supports the Plant Director and other leaders in making timely decisions that protect gross margin, cash flow and long-term competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Business Partnership & Performance Management

• Act as the trusted finance partner to the Plant Director and leadership team.
• Drive accountability for plant and supply chain P&L performance, productivity, operating leverage, inventory, working capital, and cash flow.
• Challenge operational performance and support actions that improve gross margin and profitability.
• Lead business reviews and performance discussions, ensuring execution of commitments and corrective actions.
• Translate operational results into actionable financial insights and business recommendations.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and performance monitoring for the site.
• Deliver accurate financial reporting, analysis, and management review materials.
• Strengthen Actual vs. Standard (AvS) analysis by identifying key drivers across materials, labor, volume, mix, efficiency, and commodities.
• Ensure transparency, data integrity, and auditability across all financial processes.

Cost Management & Margin Protection

• Lead Raw Material Inflation (RMI) analysis, forecasting, and reporting.
• Partner with commercial and tendering teams to validate manufacturing cost assumptions and support cost recovery initiatives.
• Provide financial oversight and sign-off for tender submissions to protect project profitability and margin expectations.
• Drive year-over-year productivity and cost improvement initiatives.

Capex, Capacity & Inventory Governance

• Lead capital expenditure planning, governance, and post-investment performance tracking.
• Evaluate capacity investments against demand forecasts, utilization, productivity, and expected returns.
• Ensure effective governance of excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce costs, optimize working capital, and strengthen cash flow.

Internal Controls & Finance Excellence

• Ensure compliance with accounting policies, financial regulations, and internal controls.
• Support internal and external audits and drive remediation of control gaps.
• Lead adoption of finance systems, tools, and process improvements across the site.
• Strengthen governance around Delegation of Authority (DOA), Chart of Accounts (COA), and financial reporting practices.

We know skills and competencies show up in many different ways and can be based on your life experience. If you do not necessarily meet all the requirements that are listed, we still encourage you to apply for the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in plant controlling, manufacturing finance, project controlling, or a similar business finance role.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing P&L management, product costing, standard costing, budgeting, forecasting, capital expenditures, inventory, and working capital.
• Experience in manufacturing or project-based environments with the ability to understand operational, commercial, and commodity cost drivers.
• Advanced Excel and ERP systems experience; Oracle ERP experience is a plus.
• CPA, CMA, or other relevant professional certification preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong business partnering and influencing capabilities.
• Ability to challenge operational and commercial leaders with data-driven insights.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-support skills.
• Proven ability to connect operational performance with P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow outcomes.
• Strong communication and presentation skills across plant, commercial, and executive audiences.
• Proactive, independent, and results-oriented mindset.

Success in This Role

Success will be measured by:

• Accurate forecasting, reporting, and financial data quality.
• Improved productivity, cost performance, and gross margin.
• Strong governance of P&L, inventory, working capital, and capital expenditures.
• Effective management of RMI and AvS analysis.
• Successful cost recovery and tender margin protection.
• Consistent deployment of finance processes, systems, and internal controls.
• Trusted partnership with plant leadership to drive sustainable business performance.

Bring your financial leadership to a team that's ready to achieve great things together —

At Schneider, we believe that every employee is a talent who deserves equal opportunities. This means you matter. Every individual needs to feel valued, supported, and treated fairly to do their best work.

Our Total Rewards is our way of saying: “We see you. We value you”. It’s more than just pay and benefits- it’s a meaningful investment in you. It is designed for you to perform, grow, feel safe, and elevate your potential to shine as an impact maker.

For this U.S. based position, the expected pay range is USD 142,400 - USD 213,600 per year. This pay range includes base pay and short-term incentives. The compensation range for this full-time position applies to candidates located within the United States. Our pay ranges are determined by reviewing roles of similar responsibility and level. Within the pay range, individual pay is determined by several factors including performance, knowledge, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schneider Electric is there when it matters most to you

Our Total Rewards package outlines all the benefits and support you’ll enjoy as part of the Schneider Electric team:

Care for Yourself and Your Family.

• We ensure you feel secure with benefits that help you and your family thrive: medical (with member reward points), dental, vision, and basic life insurance, Benefit Bucks, flexible work arrangements, paid family leaves, well-being programs, 12 holidays per year, and 15 days of paid time off per year.

Invest and Plan Your Future.

• We help you plan and invest for the future with competitive pay and programs including base salary, incentives, company share ownership, and 401(k) with match.

Grow Your Skills and Career.

• We support development through performance discussions, global opportunities, the Schneider Career Hub, and learning platforms like Coursera.

Team Up in the Workplace.

• We encourage collaboration, recognition, sharing your voice, and an inclusive workplace.

Support Your Community.

• We make a difference through volunteer leave, programs with the Schneider Electric Foundation, youth education initiatives, and military leave benefits.

€40 billion global revenue
+9% organic growth
150 000+ employees in 100+ countries

You must submit an online application to be considered for any position with us. This position will be posted until filled.

If you believe this job posting is not compliant with applicable state pay transparency laws in the U.S., please notify the Company as soon as possible upon discovery by completing this form Job Posting Compliance Form.

Looking to make an IMPACT with your career?

When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

Become an IMPACT Maker with Schneider Electric –

Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.