Job DescriptionPLANT CONTROLLER - PLANTERS (SUFFOLK, VA)To save time applying, Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.
The Plant Controller supervises and leads all location accounting functions while providing guidance and financial leadership to plant operations to ensure compliance with Hormel internal policies and GAAP. Reports and analyzes business results, providing management with clear, concise insights on key metrics impacting performance. Conducts financial and operational analysis to support decision-making, identify risks and opportunities, and drive continuous improvement. Works alongside plant staff to safeguard all company assets.
Accountabilities:- Provides plant leadership with timely, accurate financial reporting and analysis, including weekly/period P&L estimates, quarterly reforecasts, period management reports, costing reports, operational activity reporting, and capital appropriation requests.
- Serves as the functional expert for key financial and operational systems including AS400, QAD, EAM, UKG, Dataserv, ARCS, Mainframe Order Processing/ODES, and Oracle Cloud.
- Ensures adherence to company policy and internal controls to protect all company assets, including oversight of fixed asset audits, expense review, yield and supply variance analysis, and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Manages and oversees all office and accounting functions, including cost accounting, general accounting, payroll, fixed assets, accounts payable, inventory tracking, production reporting, and standard costing.
- Provides coaching, development, and mentorship to accounting staff, ensuring strong plant knowledge and supporting future career growth.
- Leads COGS and manufacturing variance analysis to understand cost drivers, identify trends, evaluate the financial impact of labor and overhead changes, and ensure accurate and insightful COGS reporting for both plant and corporate stakeholders.
- Partners with plant leadership to evaluate operational performance, identify opportunities for process improvements, and provide financial insight to support strategic and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Leads manufacturing variance planning for the Annual Operating Plan and quarterly reforecasts, ensuring accurate projections of key cost drivers, clear communication of assumptions, and meaningful analysis of changes that influence plant financial performance.
Required Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and analytical ability to review reconciliations and analyze variances.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- 3-7 years progressive accounting experience, including cost/manufacturing accounting.
- Strong working knowledge of GAAP, cost accounting, standard costing, and manufacturing variance analysis sufficient to independently manage routine plant financial activities.
- Demonstrated ability to develop P&L estimates, produce variance explanations, and collaborate across functions to maintain strong standard-costing governance.
- Advanced Excel skills (complex formulas, pivot tables, data analysis).
- Experience using ERP and manufacturing systems (AS400, QAD, Oracle Cloud, EAM, ODES, UKG).
- Ability to independently prepare, analyze, interpret, and explain financial results to plant leadership.
- Experience managing, training, and developing non exempt accounting or clerical staff to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to standard work.
Preferred Qualifications - 4-7 years of manufacturing accounting experience with demonstrated ownership of cost accounting activities or variance analysis.
- CPA or CMA certification (or progress toward certification).
- Experience supervising or coordinating a small team.
- Strong knowledge of inventory accounting, fixed assets, and period-end closing processes.
- Experience with budgeting, forecasting, or reforecast processes.
- Demonstrated involvement in process improvements or Lean/CI initiatives.
- Ability to translate financial analysis into operational insights.
Work Environment / Location Requirements - This position is plant-based and requires regular on-site presence to support inventory activities, production reporting, system troubleshooting, operational partnership, cycle counts, and physical inventories.
- Due to the hands-on nature of the role and direct interaction with manufacturing operations, this position is not eligible for remote work.
- Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required during month-end close, fiscal year-end inventories, and operational events.
BENEFITS: Hormel Foods offers an excellent benefits package. Competitive base salary plus bonus, annual merit increase performance reviews, medical, dental, vision, 401(k) immediate eligible, stock purchase plan, relocation assistance, paid vacation, FREE two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees.
The base pay range for this position $103,125 - $144,375 per year; however, actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills set, level of experience, and specific office location.
At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects. We offer a space of support, understanding, and community. We are committed to the journey! Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion/
