Plant Controller

Position Summary

This position is located in our Jaffrey, NH site. The position reports to the VP FP&A and functions as a business partner with plant management and as a functional (financial) leader on site, with a particular focus on all plant related accounting and product costing, cost center management, capital projects and inventory management. This position leads the financial staff at the plant and is accountable for plant level responsibilities including general ledger accounting, cost accounting and manufacturing variance management, capital and inventory accounting, financial reporting, and several financial management activities ranging from financial analysis around capital projects to continuous improvement initiatives. Will also liaison with corporate financial staff, as required.

Success can be measured by continuous improvement as it relates to concepts such as ‘no-surprise fast-close’ by delivering fast and reliable/accurate financial and management information as it relates to plant performance, including clear explanation for operating variances from target. The ability to improve cash performance of the plant and proactively drive (or help drive) continuous improvements in costs, inbound and outbound supply chain, inventory and capital projects is also critical for success.

Principal Responsibilities

Finance Leadership

• Active member of the Plant Leadership Team and trusted advisor to other key leaders on site
• Analyze and accurately report current month’s financial and operational results to the plant and corporate management in accordance with corporate format and time requirements
• Track and report out on critical KPIs (e.g. SQDIP/C) through easy-to-understand dashboard
• Prepare monthly rolling forecasts and annual operating plan for the plant.
• Cost control, including preparation of budgets, preparation of actual-budget analyses and pro-actively provide input to management for cost-improvements/ deviations
• Ensure full compliance to the Company’s global costing methodology as well as accurate profitability calculations and variable margin analysis per production line and per product
• Control on expenditures of capital projects (budget-actual analyses as well as financial input for capital expenditure proposals).

• Recruit, develop and coach a talented plant finance team. Monitor performance and provide continuous feedback to staff and develop career paths to engage and retain team members.

• Ad hoc support to special projects

Plant Controlling

• Perform various month-end closing activities as well as intensive involvement in year-end closing processes.
• Responsible for full legal entity balance sheet account reconciliations coordinated with GL shared service resources.
• Maintain approval and tracking of site EBITDA add back items 
• Submit all financial transactions, transmissions, and reporting on a timely and accurate basis.
• Ensure accuracy of the physical inventory and cycle counts and reported results. Investigate and explain book to physical adjustments.
• Perform audits of bills of materials to ensure product costs are accurate and accounted for properly. Report audit results quarterly.
• Ensure integrity of material master data to ensure that ERP transactions accurately reflect production operations and costing (e.g. bill of materials, routings/recipes)
• Maintain a perpetual inventory for raw materials and finished goods and reconcile this perpetual to production, shipping, and returns on a weekly basis.
• Attend daily plant production meetings and perform daily walkthroughs of the plant with the Plant Manager to discuss production and costing issues. Review labor reporting and cost, material costs, manufacturing overhead, distribution cost, returns and inventory levels.
• Maintain and report on plant fixed assets, including GAAP roll forwards, tax book values and property tax reporting.
• Conduct formal meetings with management of all key departments on site to discuss all plant issues and continuous improvement opportunities. Develop and publish a formal agenda and recap with actions to be taken.
• Document and understand SAP systems, processes, and reporting conventions.
• Analyze potential excess and obsolete inventory items monthly.
• Analyze internal controls to ensure assets are adequately safeguarded and results are accurately reported.
• Assure adherence to US GAAP. Resolve questions of US GAAP and internal controls with corporate financial management.

Education / Experience Requirements

• B.S. in Accounting or Business Administration degree preferred, CPA\CMA certification desired
• 5-10 years as plant controller or cost manager in a manufacturing environment, managing a staff, with an emphasis on cost accounting, reporting and variance analysis.
• High level of proficiency in Excel spreadsheets and SAP required.  Experience with ERP system implementations and IFS system desirable  
• Proficient knowledge of US-GAAP desired
• Demonstrated leadership as part of a cross-functional plant management team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English required
• Industry experience is desirable, though not at the expense of a broad base of experience
• Experience in a private equity environment is a plus
• Travel as required

Specialized Skills / Other Requirements

• Resilient and determined self-starter
• Displays leadership courage and composure under pressure.
• Promotes teamwork and is an example to others
• Thrives on the challenge to create order where structure is lacking or processes are broken or do not exist. 
• Ability to garner collaborative relationships, professionally debate, and see things from different perspectives.
• Exhibit an intellectual curiosity and learn quickly
• Operates in an honest, ethical manner in all dealings; acts with integrity.

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