Production Controller

Zentis Group; Mishawaka (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Long-Term Disability

Job summary

Zentis Group in Plymouth, Indiana seeks a Production Controller to support manufacturing finance by analyzing costs, monitoring performance, and maintaining data in the ERP system. You will partner with Production, Operations, Supply Chain, HR, and Finance to drive efficiency initiatives and provide reporting.

The role requires a BA in accounting/finance, 1–3 years of manufacturing experience, and advanced Excel.

Qualifications

• Minimum: BA degree in accounting, finance or related.
• 1–3 years of experience in accounting, finance, or related field preferred.
• Prior manufacturing company experience.
• Manufacturing ERP experience preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel required.
• German not required, but a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support tracking and reporting of manufacturing costs including labor, overhead, inventory and production expenses.
• Assist with analyzing production variances, waste, scrap and efficiency trends.
• Prepare regular reports and dashboards to monitor production performance.
• Investigate cost fluctuations and provide improvement recommendations.
• Partner with production and operations teams to understand performance and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Monitor KPIs such as labor utilization, throughput, yield, downtime and production output.
• Support monthly close, budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Maintain accurate financial and operational data in ERP systems.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure policy compliance.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related

Tools

Manufacturing ERP experience

Job description

Zentis is Europe's number one fruit processing company and one of the leading brand manufacturers of jams, sweets, and custard-based desserts. The Company's North America operations are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Plymouth, Indiana, where we produce fruit and dairy preparations for a variety of customers including yogurt, ice cream and bakery manufacturers. We are currently looking to recruit a Production Controller for our Plymouth location.

The Production Controller supports manufacturing operations by analyzing production costs, monitoring operational performance, maintaining financial data, and assisting plant leadership with reporting and decision-making. This role provides an excellent opportunity for an individual looking to build a career in manufacturing finance, cost accounting, operations analysis, or controlling.

The successful candidate will work closely with Production, Operations, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Finance teams to help identify operational improvement opportunities, support labor and cost analysis, and contribute to manufacturing efficiency initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

Cost Analysis & Reporting

• Support the tracking and reporting of manufacturing costs, including labor, overhead, inventory, and production expenses.
• Assist with analyzing production variances, waste, scrap, and efficiency trends.
• Prepare regular reports and dashboards to help monitor production performance.
• Investigate cost fluctuations and provide recommendations for improvement.

Manufacturing & Operational Support

• Partner with production and operations teams to understand production performance and identify opportunities for increased efficiency.
• Monitor key performance metrics including labor utilization, throughput, yield, downtime, and production output.
• Support continuous improvement and cost-saving initiatives through data collection and analysis.
• Participate in production walkthroughs to better understand manufacturing processes.
• Assist with monthly close activities, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Support inventory valuation, standard costing, and manufacturing accounting processes.
• Maintain accurate financial and operational data within ERP systems.
• Support internal and external audit requirements and ensure compliance with company policies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Human Resources teams.
• Communicate financial and operational results in a clear and meaningful way.
• Provide analytical support for business decisions and operational improvement projects.

Formal Education Required:

• Minimum: B.A. degree in accounting, finance or related.

Specific Experience and Key Knowledge Requirements:

• 1-3 years of experience in accounting, finance, or related field preferred
• Prior manufacturing company experience
• Manufacturing ERP (enterprise resource planning) experience preferred
• Advanced knowledge of Excel required

Special Skills and Abilities Required:

• Excellent written and oral communication
• Excellent attention to detail
• High energy and strong curiosity, including finding new ways for the company to improve
• Comfortable walking the manufacturing floor
• Good planning and organizational skills
• Strong analytical skills

Language Requirements:

• German not required, but a plus

Travel Requirements:

• Travel to our headquarters in Aachen, Germany within the first year for training is required.
• After the first year, 10% locally and internationally.

We offer a great benefits package that features:

• Medical (PPO and HSA plans), Prescription, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance