Plant Controller
Job Location: Columbia City, IN
Department: Finance & Accounting
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Type: Full-time
Precision Products Group (PPG) is a growing global leader in converting niche engineered materials for electrical, aerospace & defense, medical, and industrial markets. The finance group is continuing to build capabilities and will be leveraging a shared service model to support the multiple company divisions and brands. The Plant Controller role for the textiles division will be an integral part of the shared services model for finance and will be a key team member for the next phase of significant growth for the organization. Precision Products Group operates across multiple company divisions and brands, which include Cindus Corporation, Paramount Tube, Breyden Products, Saylor Technical Products, and Euclid Medical.
The Plant Controller is the finance leader for the textiles division of PPG and will be supporting multiple plant locations. This role will be responsible for the full spectrum of manufacturing finance – daily cost accounting, inventory oversight, strategic budgeting, capital investment analysis, and consolidated divisional reporting. The Plant Controller will partner with operations leaders at multiple locations to drive financial efficiency using variance analysis, budgeting and forecasting tools, and developing analytics/tools to support business operations. This role will provide oversight for capital expenditures and ensuring compliance through the use of standardized accounting policies and adherence to GAAP. The Plant Controller will ensure accurate financial management and support operational excellence while driving cost efficiencies and profitability across multiple plant locations.
Cost Accounting & Variance Analysis
- Own and manage the standard costing system across both Breyden and Saylor facilities, including labor, materials, and overhead rates.
- Prepare and analyze monthly manufacturing variance reports (purchase price, usage, labor efficiency, overhead absorption) at the site and divisional level.
- Partner with operations leaders at each site to investigate variances, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions.
- Maintain and update bills of materials (BOMs) and routings to ensure standard cost accuracy across both product lines.
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead the annual budget process for the Textiles Division, consolidating inputs from both Breyden and Saylor — including direct labor, overhead, and cost of goods manufactured.
- Develop rolling financial forecasts and provide monthly variance commentary and performance narrative to PPG leadership.
- Collaborate with site management at each location to identify cost reduction opportunities and track savings initiatives.
- Present consolidated divisional financial results and outlooks to senior leadership.
Inventory Control
- Oversee raw material, WIP, and finished goods inventory valuation and reconciliation at both facilities.
- Manage physical inventory counts and cycle count programs across Breyden and Saylor; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
- Monitor inventory reserve adequacy (obsolescence, slow-moving stock) and ensure proper accounting treatment.
- Partner with supply chain and production teams at each site to improve inventory accuracy and reduce carrying costs.
ERP Systems & Financial Reporting
- Serve as the divisional subject matter expert for the ERP systems (Breyden: Winman; Saylor: Made2Manage) across both sites.
- Ensure accurate and timely transaction processing.
- Prepare month-end close journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and consolidated divisional management reports.
- Support continuous improvement of ERP reporting capabilities and data integrity across both facilities.
Capital Expenditure Oversight
- Manage the divisional capital expenditure budget, covering projects at both Breyden and Saylor facilities.
- Review and approve AFEs (Authorizations for Expenditure); track project spending vs. approved budgets.
- Conduct post-project ROI reviews and partner with engineering and operations on business case development.
- Maintain fixed asset records and ensure proper depreciation treatment in accordance with PPG policy.
Controls & Compliance
- Ensure adherence to GAAP and PPG accounting policies across all financial activities at both Breyden and Saylor.
- Maintain a strong internal control environment across both sites; support internal and external audit activities.
- Identify control gaps and implement process improvements to mitigate financial risk.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, with at least 3 years in a manufacturing environment.
- Solid understanding of cost accounting principles, standard costing, and manufacturing overhead concepts.
- Hands-on experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar; Made2Manager and/or Winman experience preferred); advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools required.
- Demonstrated ability to manage the full month-end close process at a plant or business unit level.
- Comfortable working across multiple facilities and engaging directly with operations teams on the plant floor.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and a collaborative mindset.
- Effective communicator with the ability to present financial information to non-finance audiences.
- Preferred experience and familiarity with mil-spec or aerospace-grade manufacturing environments that utilize Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience in textiles, specialty materials, aerospace, or defense-related manufacturing preferred.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
- Process-improvement mindset with experience driving operational efficiency through system enhancements or workflow redesign.
- Strongly preferred experience in multi-site financial management or division controller responsibilities.
- High degree of professional integrity and commitment to ethical financial practices.
- Experience working within small-to-mid-sized companies that are PE-owned is preferred.
This position is primarily office-based at the Columbia City, IN location (Breyden), but will need to travel up to 15% of the time to the Grand Rapids, OH (Saylor) location. There will be occasional travel to PPG corporate office or other portfolio companies when necessary.
- Competitive compensation
- Robust benefits options (PPO and HSA options)
- 401K with company match
- Highly engaged culture that recognizes and rewards high performance
- Opportunities for career progression and the ability to make an immediate impact on the business
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
