Controller Associate

International Paper•Springfield, OR

2d•$65,100 - $95,500

About The Position

The Controller Associate is an early-career finance development role within International Paper’s manufacturing finance organization. The position provides broad exposure to manufacturing operations and supports multiple facilities within a complex or region through formal training, cross-site assignments, job rotations, special projects, mentorship, and interaction with senior leaders. The program uses a 70/20/10 development model: experience-based learning, social learning, and formal education. Associates develop expertise across five core competency areas: analysis and decision support, business leadership, people/team development, and internal controls (the posting lists four competency areas under the heading “5 Core Competencies”). The role provides accounting, financial analysis, operational support, and leadership development under the direction of a Controller. It partners with plant management, operations, supply chain, production teams, Region Controllers, and Finance leadership to interpret financial and operational data, support business decisions, improve performance, strengthen controls, and maximize financial return. Immediate opportunities are in Southern California. The role requires flexibility to relocate in the immediate future and travel up to 50% as needed, including during the training period.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration, with at least 12 credit hours in Accounting.
At least 2 years of experience in an Accounting or Finance role.
Geographic flexibility and willingness to travel up to 50% during the training period.
Strong initiative and self-motivation, with excellent written, verbal, and active listening skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively and contribute to team success.
Comfort working in a manufacturing environment.
Strong knowledge of general and cost accounting, including month-end close processes and financial statement preparation.
Experience developing, maintaining, and assessing internal controls.
Strong analytical and financial skills, including budgeting, forecasting, KPI tracking, working capital management, and supporting special projects.
Familiarity with financial and operational information systems.
Understanding of sales, marketing, and distribution processes.
Knowledge of quality improvement and manufacturing processes.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a converting facility.
Familiarity with SAP.

Responsibilities

Prepare and analyze operational results, customer profitability, capital projects, KPIs, and special projects.
Provide financial insights on production initiatives, inventory management, capacity utilization, freight, purchasing, cost to serve, and other operational drivers.
Participate in month-end close activities, including preparing financial statements, accruals, reconciliations, balance sheet reviews, and related analysis.
Maintain familiarity with applicable financial policies, capital investment manuals, corporate accounting standards, and plant procedures.
Follow applicable internal controls in areas of responsibility and help implement solutions to address control weaknesses.
Partner with plant management, production, supply chain, customer service, purchasing, shipping, warehouse, and other cross-functional teams to understand operational drivers and identify improvement opportunities.
Perform daily financial activities of the plant and support continuity of key financial processes across assigned facilities.
Participate in formal training, cross-site learning, job rotations, special projects, and mentorship opportunities.
Identify and propose solutions to business challenges, process inefficiencies, and control gaps.
Build leadership capability by collaborating with exempt and non-exempt team members and, where applicable, mentoring or developing accounting staff.
Prepare and deliver financial updates, variance explanations, project summaries, and recommendations to plant, complex, and regional leadership.