Position Summary & ObjectiveThe Assistant Controller is a key finance leader for the Lancaster manufacturing site, responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and audit-ready financial results while partnering with plant leadership to drive manufacturing performance. The role owns site-level month-end close execution, balance sheet integrity, manufacturing cost accounting, inventory analysis, forecasting and operating planning support, and internal controls execution in a U.S. GAAP and SOX-controlled environment. The position combines hands-on accounting leadership with financial analysis, operational partnership, and continuous improvement across close, reporting, cost control, and working capital processes.
Essential Functions Performed by the Position- Lead and manage month-end close activities for the Lancaster manufacturing site, including journal entries, accruals, reclasses, overhead reporting, account reconciliations, and close review packages.
- Ensure expenses, inventory, labor, overhead, and manufacturing costs are recorded in the proper period in accordance with U.S. GAAP and company policy.
- Own balance sheet integrity for assigned site accounts, including bank, inventory, intercompany, accrual, prepaid, reserve, and other key reconciliations.
- Prepare, review, and analyze monthly manufacturing performance reporting, including labor, material, overhead, scrap, usage, yield, inventory, and production efficiency variances.
- Perform and oversee manufacturing cost accounting activities, including standard cost versus actual analysis, inventory valuation, reserves, and cost center review.
- Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, and plant leadership to explain financial results, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions.
- Support the annual operating plan, periodic forecasts, and site financial outlooks, including manufacturing overhead, labor, period expenses, inventory, and working capital assumptions.
- Review and challenge forecast inputs from operational leaders and finance partners to ensure completeness, accuracy, and alignment with current business trends.
- Develop and maintain site KPIs tied to production, efficiency, inventory, cost performance, and working capital; provide concise commentary for leadership review.
- Execute, document, and improve internal controls and SOX-related requirements; support internal audit, external audit, and management review requests with complete and accurate evidence.
- Serve as a hands-on ERP user and data integrity owner for site finance processes, ensuring transactions reconcile to the general ledger and supporting resolution of system or master data issues.
- Support payroll, sales reporting, intercompany activity, authorized payment processes, and other site finance activities as required.
- Provide coaching, review, and day-to-day support to site accounting / finance resources and shared services partners, as assigned.
- Drive process improvements that accelerate close, strengthen controls, improve forecast accuracy, and increase visibility to manufacturing cost drivers.
- Provide general ad hoc analysis and day-to-day support to the Controller, Finance Leadership, and Lancaster site leadership team.
Position Qualifications - Education- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
- CPA, CMA, MBA, or equivalent advanced credential preferred but not required.
Experience- Minimum 7+ years of progressive accounting, controllership, manufacturing finance, plant finance, or cost accounting experience.
- Direct experience in a manufacturing environment required; experience with inventory, standard costing, overhead, and variance analysis strongly preferred.
- Hands-on ownership of month-end close, journal entries, accruals, balance sheet reconciliations, and financial reporting packages.
- Experience operating in a SOX-controlled, audit-driven, or public-company environment preferred.
- ERP experience required; NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, or equivalent system experience preferred.
- Prior experience supervising, reviewing, or coaching accounting / finance resources preferred.
Language ProficiencyKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP, financial close, internal controls, and manufacturing cost structures.
- Demonstrated ability to connect plant operating performance to financial results and communicate insights to non-finance stakeholders.
- Strong control mindset with disciplined documentation, evidence retention, account ownership, and audit readiness.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial analysis skills; ability to build clear reporting, reconciliations, and variance bridges.
- Excellent attention to detail with an ownership mindset and ability to meet tight close and reporting deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to summarize complex financial issues clearly and professionally.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and partner effectively across functions and locations.
- High integrity, discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism in handling financial and business-sensitive information.
- Continuous improvement mindset with ability to identify root causes, simplify processes, and strengthen controls.
- Positive, collaborative, assertive, and hands-on style suited to a manufacturing site environment.
- Working Hours and Conditions
- Office and remote work environment, with regular partnerships with Lancaster manufacturing site leadership and operations teams.
Travel RequirementsPeriodic travel to other Crane Authentication offices or manufacturing / finance locations may be required.
What we offer:Crane offers competitive benefits, tailored to each region in which we operate. In addition to benefits, our employees enjoy perks such as company-sponsored wellness programs, volunteer opportunities, regular team building and engagement events and learning and development opportunities.
