Strategic Plant Controller - Manufacturing Finance Leader

Barrette Workforce Solutions, LLC; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Barrette Workforce Solutions, LLC seeks a Plant Controller to join the plant leadership team. The role oversees all plant financial operations, partners with operations to drive profitability, and leads the accounting function, budgeting, forecasting, and costing.

You will manage inventory controls, capital planning, and internal controls, while mentoring the Accounting team and ensuring GAAP compliance.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of Controller or Plant Controller experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Financial leadership experience in a complex manufacturing operation.
• Experience with standard costing, budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Experience partnering with manufacturing operations to improve financial and operational performance.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP/accounting systems.
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting, capital expenditures, cost accounting, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead all financial operations for the manufacturing facility, ensuring accurate, timely, and reliable financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, performance reports, and management analysis.
• Develop the annual operating budget, business plan, and financial forecasts while monitoring performance against goals.
• Partner with Plant Leadership to provide financial guidance that supports strategic and operational decision-making.
• Analyze plant performance, manufacturing costs, and operating results to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Manage standard costing, product costing, inventory valuation, and cost control processes.
• Monitor operating expenses and recommend initiatives that improve profitability, reduce costs, and strengthen financial performance.
• Lead month-end and year-end close activities while ensuring accounting accuracy and compliance with corporate policies.
• Oversee physical inventory processes and maintain accurate inventory accounting and controls.
• Prepare financial analyses and business cases supporting capital investment requests and major operational initiatives.
• Optimize plant cash flow through effective financial planning and working capital management.
• Conduct internal audits and ensure compliance with corporate financial controls, accounting policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure accounting transactions are recorded accurately and in accordance with GAAP and company standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Accounting team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support Quality, Environmental, and Material Management Systems by ensuring financial compliance with applicable company standards.

Skills

Manufacturing accounting

Costing & budgeting

ERP accounting systems

Excel mastery

Financial analysis

GAAP knowledge

Leadership

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Barrette Workforce Solutions, LLC seeks a Plant Controller to join the plant leadership team. The role oversees all plant financial operations, partners with operations to drive profitability, and leads the accounting function, budgeting, forecasting, and costing.

You will manage inventory controls, capital planning, and internal controls, while mentoring the Accounting team and ensuring GAAP compliance.