PLANT CONTROLLER
Whitehall, MI | Fully Onsite
Salary: $160,000–$170,000 + Bonus
Position Summary
We are seeking a hands-on Plant Controller to serve as a key financial and operational leader for a $200M+ manufacturing plant in St. Joseph, Michigan. This position will have significant responsibility for the financial performance of the operation while partnering closely with plant leadership to drive profitability, operational efficiency, and long-term business performance.
The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years of progressive manufacturing finance experience and combine strong technical accounting and financial management capabilities with exceptional business acumen and operational leadership. This is a highly visible role for a Controller who is comfortable getting into the details, challenging the business, and translating financial data into actionable operational decisions.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead all financial activities for a $200M+ manufacturing operation, including month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cost accounting, and financial analysis.
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Serve as a hands-on financial and operational partner to the Plant Manager and leadership team, providing insight into profitability, productivity, costs, and overall plant performance.
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Drive plant-level budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial planning, identifying trends and opportunities to improve financial results.
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Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, and other functional leaders to improve labor efficiency, material costs, overhead, inventory, productivity, and operating margins.
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Own and improve plant cost accounting, including standard costs, manufacturing variances, inventory valuation, absorption, product costing, and cost reduction initiatives.
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Develop and monitor KPIs that connect financial performance to operational performance, providing leadership with clear and actionable insights.
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Lead financial analysis for capital expenditures, process improvements, productivity initiatives, and other strategic operational investments.
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Ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial controls, reporting, and accounting processes while maintaining compliance with corporate policies and procedures.
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Lead, develop, and mentor the plant finance/accounting team while establishing a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
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Actively participate in plant leadership discussions and help establish strategies that support profitable growth and operational performance.
Qualifications
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10+ years of progressive finance/accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
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Previous experience as a Plant Controller, Site Controller, Operations Controller, or similar senior manufacturing finance leader.
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Experience supporting a $200M+ manufacturing operation strongly preferred.
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Strong understanding of cost accounting, manufacturing variances, inventory, standard costing, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
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Demonstrated business acumen and operational mindset, with the ability to understand how manufacturing decisions directly impact financial performance.
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Hands-on leadership style with the ability to work effectively on the plant floor and directly with operational leadership.
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Proven ability to challenge assumptions, identify financial and operational opportunities, and translate complex financial information into actionable recommendations.
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Strong leadership and communication skills with experience partnering across Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Sales, and Executive Leadership.
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Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA, CMA, or MBA is a plus.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is more than a traditional Controller — they are a true business partner who understands manufacturing from both a financial and operational perspective. They should be comfortable rolling up their sleeves, walking the plant floor, understanding the drivers behind financial results, and working directly with operations to improve performance.
This is an excellent opportunity for a high-level Plant Controller ready to take ownership of a major manufacturing operation and have a direct impact on its financial and operational success.
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