Job Title: Plant Controller
Location: Marion, NC
Reports to: Plant Manager
Employment Type: Full-time
Seniority Level: Senior Level
Industry: Manufacturing | Mechanical Power Transmission Components | Engineering Services
Job Function: Financial Planning | Operational Analysis | Cost Management
Job Summary: The Plant Controller is a key financial leader responsible for providing comprehensive financial planning, operational analysis, and cost management support to plant operations. This role partners closely with plant leadership to drive manufacturing performance through accurate planning, forecasting, cost control, and disciplined financial execution. The Plant Controller ensures the integrity of financial results while enabling data-driven decisions that improve operational efficiency, profitability, and inventory management.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Planning and Analysis
• Lead the annual operating plan, budget, and rolling forecast processes for the manufacturing facility.
• Develop detailed production, labor, overhead, and capital expenditure plans aligned with operational goals.
• Partner with plant leadership to translate production plans into financial outcomes.
• Analyze variances versus plan, forecast, and prior periods; clearly communicate drivers and corrective actions.
• Support long-range planning and scenario modeling related to capacity, headcount, pricing, and cost initiatives.
• Provide decision support for make-versus-buy, sourcing, capital investment, and productivity projects.
Plant Operations and Cost Management
• Act as a financial business partner to Plant Manager, Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering leaders.
• Oversee product costing, standard cost maintenance, and cost rollups.
• Drive transparency and accountability for labor, material, scrap, and overhead absorption.
• Lead efforts to identify cost reduction and operational efficiency opportunities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM) with financial analytics.
• Monitor inventory levels, turns, and reserves; ensure alignment with production and supply chain plans.
Accounting Controls and Compliance
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly close, including journal entries, accruals, and variance explanations.
• Maintain strong internal controls over manufacturing, inventory, and fixed assets.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and external audit requirements.
• Partner with corporate accounting on standard cost updates and accounting changes.
Leadership and Collaboration
• Lead and develop plant finance staff (if applicable).
• Promote financial discipline and operational understanding across the plant.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to plant leadership by providing clear, actionable insights.
• Collaborate with corporate FP&A, supply chain, and operations teams.
Key Metrics & Focus Areas:
• Manufacturing cost per unit and margin performance
• Labor efficiency and overhead absorption
• Forecast accuracy and plan attainment
• Inventory accuracy, turns, and working capital
• Capital spend vs. plan
• Variance identification and corrective action execution
Qualifications:
Required
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing finance or cost accounting
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, cost drivers, and planning processes
• Proven experience partnering with plant leadership
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills
• ERP experience (SAP preferred)
Preferred
• CMA
• Experience with CCH Tagetik for budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting
• Experience in complex manufacturing environments
• Exposure to Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement frameworks
Physical Demands:
• Extended periods of sitting at a workstation.
• Speaking in person and over the telephone or Teams online.
• Ability to type, reach, and grasp.
• Intermittent standing and walking within the office environment.
• Ability to travel and stay overnight as needed.
