Plant Finance Controller & Strategic Partner

Talentify; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Plant Controller for a manufacturing site in Elkhart, Indiana. The candidate will lead month-end close, budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, and internal controls, partnering with operations and senior leadership.

This on-site permanent role offers broad exposure across finance and operations, with extensive stakeholder engagement and opportunities for leadership development within the plant and business units.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 515+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Experience supporting manufacturing organizations with revenues in the approximately $100M to $500M range.
• Experience supporting plant operations and manufacturing leadership teams.
• Strong understanding of month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting processes.
• Hands-on experience with accounting, financial analysis, general ledger management, month-end close, reconciliations, forecasting, reporting, and budgeting.
• Ability to analyze financial performance and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a hands-on finance role in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proven capability to partner directly with operations, sales, and executive leadership to influence decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities for assigned business units and ensure timely, accurate completion of all financial processes.
• Prepare, review, and maintain financial statements and management reporting packages in compliance with accounting standards and company policies.
• Establish, monitor, and enforce internal controls that protect company assets and maintain the integrity of all financial reporting and control processes.
• Analyze financial performance, including variances to budget and forecast, and recommend corrective actions where appropriate.
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning activities for the plant and related business units.
• Develop and consolidate monthly sales and financial projections to support leadership decision-making.
• Prepare financial models and business analyses to evaluate business performance, support key decisions, and provide special reports and analyses for leadership as needed.
• Partner closely with plant leadership, operations teams, and sales organizations to support financial and operational objectives.
• Conduct monthly cost and margin reviews, including analysis of labor, material, inventory, and manufacturing costs.
• Support product margin analysis, pricing decisions, and profitability improvement initiatives across the plant.
• Monitor cost fluctuations, identify trends, and highlight opportunities for operational and financial improvement.
• Spend time within manufacturing operations to understand business processes, build strong relationships, and provide informed financial guidance.
• Support plant performance through detailed operational and financial analysis, including manufacturing performance metrics.
• Serve as a key member of the plant and business unit leadership teams, actively participating in operational and strategic discussions.
• Build strong relationships with operations, sales, and executive leadership and act as a trusted advisor on financial matters.
• Communicate complex financial information in clear, actionable terms that operational leaders can understand and use.
• Provide guidance on operational opportunities, business improvement initiatives, and cost optimization efforts.
• Support recruiting, employee development, coaching, and succession planning efforts within the finance organization.
• Develop future finance leadership talent through mentoring and professional development activities.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and business integration activities, including participation in due diligence and post-acquisition support.
• Assist with business expansion, product line additions, and operational change initiatives through financial analysis and planning.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts by identifying and implementing innovations, process enhancements, and operational efficiencies within finance and across the plant.

Skills

Month-end close

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

Operations partnering

Communication

Leadership

Manufacturing finance experience

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365)

Power BI

Job description

Aston Carter is seeking a Plant Controller for a manufacturing site in Elkhart, Indiana. The candidate will lead month-end close, budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, and internal controls, partnering with operations and senior leadership.

This on-site permanent role offers broad exposure across finance and operations, with extensive stakeholder engagement and opportunities for leadership development within the plant and business units.