Plant Controller

The Company

Our client is an advanced materials company offering a broad portfolio of renewably-sourced polymers and chemicals to the packaging, polymers, fibers, and chemicals markets. Our client is a leader in the industry and does business in North America, Europe, Japan and Asia Pacific. This client is privately-owned by two global known brands.

Purpose of the Position

The Plant Controller will lead the inventory accounting and cost of goods reporting activities for the Company. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining standard costs and ensuring the accuracy of inventory levels by seeking input from cross functional teams. They will also develop and maintain processes and controls in the areas of inventory, costing/manufacturing, and freight accounting. The Plant Controller will lead the fixed asset activities and assist in general accounting activities, monitoring internal controls, performing balance sheet reconciliations, and assisting with other processes such as budgeting. The Plant Controller will play an active role on the Finance team.

The Plant Controller is responsible for supporting the Finance team by developing functional strategies, setting new standards and developing and implementing new processes that have a short to mid-term impact on the organization and achieve the mission, vision and goals of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory/Manufacturing Recording & Analysis (60%)

• Lead and provide oversight to the accounting for the plant.
• Establish and maintain inventory standard cost estimates, bill of materials, and material master data in the ERP system.
• Coordinate and communicate with management regarding corporate objectives, guidelines, procedures and policies and ensure compliance with same.
• Oversee the reconciliation and analysis of monthly manufacturing and inventory activity along with calculating actual inventory costs.
• Analyze variances with inventory accounts and manufacturing cost centers, to identify any potential issues prior to close and report on unusual spending. Understand root cause and drive for corrective action.
• Ensure accuracy of inventory through coordinating and completing periodic counts and reconciliations.
• Work with the manufacturing team to reduce slow moving, obsolete, or damaged inventory and establish any necessary reserves.
• Participate in plant team meetings as the primary accounting interface.
• Researches various reporting and disclosure issues
• Acts as a liaison between Company and external audit firms in completing requests of information for periodic audits
• Prepares various reports and surveys for federal/state governments or other external parties
• Manage and execute month-end, quarter-end, and annual close duties, including accruals and reviewing financial information to ensure the financials are accurately and timely reported.
• Prepare, post, and/or review journal entries and reconcile/review accounts.
• Responsible for the accounting of a specific manufacturing plant including complete oversight of the manufacturing cost centers and inventory balance sheet accounts.
• Ensure adherence to and effectiveness of internal control in own area of responsibility. Create or modify internal controls as necessary.
• Research and application of technical US GAAP requirements. Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate internal and external audit needs.
• Assist in preparation of annual budgets.
• Perform additional ad hoc analysis and reporting, as requested.

Accounting (15%)

• Manages the Fixed Asset Process
• Prepares journal entries and accruals
• Periodic balance sheet reconciliations
• Actively involved in reviewing internal controls and integrity of all financial information and processes used by the business
• Actively involved in maintaining and understanding operations of the accounting system (including system configuration where possible); manages authorizations and security function for SAP

Talent Management (15%)

• Develops effective, diverse leaders who are well trained, engaged, and focused on operational excellence for today and for the future. This focuses on the following: hiring and retaining diverse talent, training and development, performance management, engagement, balance between leadership and technical expertise, and a culture focused on operational excellence
• Support company policies and procedures as a member of management for all employees. Present a professional image as a representative of the company. Establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with co-workers, and every level of management
• Creates an environment focused on continuous learning and improvement, fostering close-knit collaboration sparked by the energy of a startup
• Provide leadership for the accounting staff by establishing organization and also with effective communication

Budgeting/Forecasting (5%)

• Partners with the Controller – Financial Planning & Analysis to assist with annual budgets
• Analyzes differences between budget actual results and forecast actual results and provides explanations to executive team and board
• Prepares monthly financial forecasts for executive team
• Assists with year-end tax reporting and various governmental reports

Environmental, Health & Safety Leadership (5%)

• Operates safely within policies, procedures and governmental regulations and fully participates in and champions Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) Programs
• Ensures the EH&S Programs are being followed and provides a safe working environment to our employees and customers
• Accountable for building a strong safety culture and actively pursues it on a daily basis; identifies unsafe behaviors and conditions and intervenes to mitigate incidents

The Candidate

Experience and Professional Qualifications

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in Accounting or related field
• 6-10 years accounting experience

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Finance or Business Administration
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification
• 10+ years accounting experience in public accounting, analyzing of financial statements in a global organization
• Experience with SAP or other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
• Process manufacturing experience

Other (knowledge, skills and abilities):

• Strong accounting (GAAP), general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, income tax and banking working knowledge
• Ability to analyze data and prepare meaningful reports for the management team
• Ability to develop and maintain customer relationships, understand our business and our customer's business, demonstrate intelligent flexibility and business judgment
• Supports the company’s vision and values through project / team work
• Strong customer focus and service orientation with the ability to interact effectively with employees and vendors at all levels in a cross cultural setting
• Understands the plans for meeting the business strategy and objectives, and how it relates to daily activities
• Demonstrates speed and flexibility as appropriate in responding and adapting to changes
• Promotes cooperation within the team and between teams
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to a challenging and developing environment; willingness to take on new responsibilities as our business evolves

Benefits

• Time Off: 20 vacation days, unlimited sick time, 6 days family sick time, and 4 weeks paid parental leave.
• Retirement Benefits: 5.5% auto contribution to your 401k and a 50% match on the first 6% of your contribution.
• Comprehensive Insurance: fully paid short and long-term disability, plus life insurance.
• Premier Work Environment: state-of-the-art corporate office.
• Health Plans: Generous employer contributions to medical, dental, and vision plans, along with HSA, FSA, and even pet insurance.
• Work-Life Balance: Embrace our strong commitment to work-life balance, including 12 paid holidays. Benefits begin on day 1.

SE#510646271