Plant Controller – Strategic Business Partner
Title: Plant Controller
Location: Franklin, WI
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Dotted Line: Senior Vice President & General Manager
Direct Reports: Assistant Controller and Accounting Assistant (2)
Position Summary
The Plant Controller is a key financial leader at the Franklin, WI manufacturing facility, responsible for overseeing all plant-level accounting, financial reporting, cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls. This role partners closely with plant leadership and corporate finance to drive financial performance, support operational decision-making, and ensure compliance with company policies and GAAP.
The Plant Controller operates as a trusted business partner to the Sr. VP & General Manager while maintaining strong alignment with corporate financial strategy and reporting requirements.
Ideal Candidate: We're looking for a leader who:
- Thinks like an operator, not just an accountant
- Is confident partnering with senior leadership
- Enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges
- Brings both technical depth and commercial insight
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Business Partnership
- Serve as the primary financial advisor to plant leadership, providing insight into operational performance, cost drivers, and improvement opportunities.
- Partner with the Sr. VP & General Manager to support strategic initiatives, capital investment analysis, and profitability improvement efforts.
- Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders.
Financial Reporting & Accounting
- Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes for the Franklin facility, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
- Prepare and analyze plant P&L statements, balance sheets, and variance reports versus budget and forecast.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal accounting policies, and corporate reporting requirements.
Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance
- Lead all cost accounting activities, including standard cost development, maintenance, and variances (labor, material, overhead).
- Analyze manufacturing efficiencies, scrap, rework, inventory turns, and absorption to support continuous improvement.
- Oversee inventory valuation, cycle counts, physical inventories, and related reconciliations.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis
- Lead the annual operating budget and ongoing forecast processes for the plant.
- Monitor and report on key financial and operational KPIs, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Provide financial modeling and scenario analysis to support operational decisions and capital projects.
Internal Controls & Compliance
- Maintain strong internal controls over financial processes, inventory, and fixed assets.
- Support internal and external audits, ensuring timely responses and corrective action where needed.
- Ensure compliance with corporate policies, SOX/internal control standards (as applicable), and regulatory requirements.
Capital & Fixed Assets
- Review and analyze capital expenditure requests; track capital project spending and ROI.
People Leadership
- Directly manage, coach, and develop the Assistant Controller and Accounting Assistant.
- Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the finance function.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA or CMA strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including significant experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Prior experience as a Plant Controller or senior manufacturing finance leader strongly preferred.
Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of cost accounting, standard costing, inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysis.
- Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel skills; experience with manufacturing ERP systems preferred.
- Strong understanding of GAAP and internal controls.
Leadership & Competencies
- Proven ability to partner with operations and influence decision-making through data-driven insight.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and manage competing priorities.
Working Conditions
- Primarily office-based within a manufacturing facility; regular presence on the shop floor required.
- Occasional travel to corporate offices or other facilities as needed.
ECZ
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Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact API Heat Transfer at (716) 684-6700 for assistance.
