- Field
- Accounting and controllership
- Location
- Lake Forest, IL
- Work model
- Onsite
- Level
- Mid
- Pay
- $130k to $145k
About the role
We're seeking an experienced Plant Controller to serve as a key member of the plant leadership team. As Plant Controller, you'll oversee all plant financial operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, standard costing, capital planning, and inventory controls.
What you would own
- 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 established 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.
- 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.
What they are looking for
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required.
- 7 to 10 years of Controller or Plant Controller experience within a manufacturing environment is required.
- Financial leadership experience in a complex manufacturing operation is required.
- Strong background in manufacturing accounting, standard costing, budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
- Experience partnering with manufacturing operations to improve financial and operational performance.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP/accounting systems.
- Strong understanding of inventory accounting, capital expenditures, cost accounting, and internal controls.
- Proven leadership experience managing and developing accounting or finance teams.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail.
Everything above is the hiring company’s own words, with the company name taken out. The name, the team, and the interview steps come with the first conversation.