The Assistant Plant Controller supports the Plant Controller in managing the financial performance, cost structure, and internal controls of a high-volume U.S. water heater manufacturing facility. This role serves as a hands-on finance business partner to Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Plant Leadership, providing actionable financial insight to drive cost control, productivity, inventory accuracy, and continuous improvement.
The position has a strong emphasis on manufacturing cost accounting, variance analysis, budgeting and forecasting, and plant-level financial reporting, with regular presence on the shop floor.
Responsibilities:
Financial Reporting & Close
· Prepare and analyze monthly plant financial results, including:
o Labor, material, overhead, scrap, and efficiency variances
o Inventory valuation and reconciliation
· Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities in coordination with Corporate Finance
· Prepare financial schedules, journal entries, and account reconciliations in accordance with company policy and U.S.
Cost Accounting & Inventory Control
· Maintain and validate standard costs for manufactured products, including:
o Bills of Material (BOMs)
o Routings and labor standards
o Overhead and burden rates
· Partner with Operations and Materials to:
o Improve inventory accuracy and cycle counts
o Monitor slow-moving and obsolete inventory
o Support working capital and inventory turns
Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis
· Assist in development of:
o Budgeting process based on volume and mix by platform with flexible scenarios
o Monthly Forecasts with flexible scenarios
· Perform detailed variance analysis (VOP, MoM, YoY, VPY) and clearly communicate root-cause drivers to plant leadership
· Support productivity, cost-reduction, and capital investment initiatives with financial modeling and ROI analysis
Operational Partnership
· Act as a finance partner to:
o Plant leadership
o Production and maintenance teams
o Engineering and CI teams
· Provide financial insight for:
o Labor and efficiency improvements
o Scrap and yield reduction
o Make/buy and sourcing decisions
· Participate in Lean and continuous improvement initiatives with a strong cost-focus
Controls, Compliance & Audit
· Support adherence to internal controls and company accounting policies
· Assist with internal and external audits
· Identify control gaps and recommend corrective actions to improve financial discipline and compliance
Systems & Process Improvement
· Maintain and analyze data within ERP systems (Oracle or similar)
· Drive improvements in reporting accuracy, data integrity, and financial processes
· Support ERP enhancements, upgrades, or cost-module improvements as needed
Requirements:
· Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
· 7+ years of progressive experience in Manufacturing finance, Cost accounting or plant accounting.
· Strong working knowledge of Standard costing, Inventory accounting, Manufacturing variances.
· Experience working in an ERP environment (Oracle preferred)
· Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, financial analysis)
· Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, shop-floor manufacturing environment
Preferred:
· CPA or CMA certification
· Experience in high-volume or mixed-model manufacturing
· Exposure to Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement environments
· Experience supporting capital projects and sourcing evaluations
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Finance: 7 years (Required)
- Cost accounting: 5 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
