Manager, Controlling

Merck•Saint Louis, MO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and people-focused Manager, Controlling to lead the controlling organization for our St. Louis–based manufacturing cluster. This role will provide strategic financial leadership, oversee plant controlling activities across five sites, and develop a high-performing team of Plant Controllers to drive profitability, cost transparency, and operational excellence. The Manager, Controlling will own the overall financial performance management of the cluster, ensuring consistent controlling standards, robust analysis, and strong business partnering across Broadway, Cherokee, Ewing, DeKalb, and Spruce. The role is heavily focused on leadership and team development, providing direction, coaching, and support to Plant Controllers while aligning site priorities with regional and corporate objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
10+ years of progressive experience in finance/controlling, with significant experience in manufacturing
Prior plant controlling experience strongly preferred
Proven leadership experience managing and developing finance/controlling teams, ideally in a multi-site or cluster environment.
Strong expertise in product costing, variance analysis, and manufacturing finance, with the ability to guide and challenge Plant Controllers.
Demonstrated ability to influence and partner effectively with senior operations leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex financial topics and drive alignment and accountability.
Strong command of ERP and financial systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP or similar) and advanced Excel/financial modeling skills.
Track record of driving continuous improvement, process standardization, and efficiency within the finance function.
High level of integrity, resilience, and ownership, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, operational environment.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree and/or professional certification (CPA, CMA, MBA) preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a team of Plant Controllers, setting clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
Drive a collaborative, high-performing team culture across sites, promoting best practice sharing and consistent ways of working.
Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and development planning, including succession planning for critical controlling roles.
Provide guidance and escalation support to Plant Controllers on complex accounting, costing, and decision-support topics.
Champion talent development by identifying skill gaps, organizing training, and building bench strength within the controlling function.
Own the consolidated financial performance of the cluster, including P&L, balance sheet, and key cash and cost KPIs.
Review and challenge site-level results and forecasts, ensuring accuracy, credibility, and alignment with business reality.
Provide clear, concise financial insights to regional/BU leadership, highlighting trends, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions.
Ensure consistent application of costing and controlling methodologies across all plants in the cluster.
Lead the cluster-wide budgeting and forecasting processes, consolidating inputs from all plants into a robust, well-supported financial plan.
Coordinate monthly and quarterly performance reviews with Plant Controllers and Site Leaders, driving accountability for results and action plans.
Align site-level targets with regional and corporate objectives, ensuring that financial goals support broader strategic priorities.
Establish and maintain standard controlling processes, templates, and timelines across all cluster plants to ensure consistency and efficiency.
Ensure robust internal controls and compliance with accounting standards, corporate policies, and local regulations across all sites.
Partner with Corporate Finance, Audit, and Compliance to support internal and external audits and drive remediation of any identified control gaps.
Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, reporting quality, and cycle times across the cluster.
Act as the primary finance business partner for cluster operations leadership, providing financial insight on capacity, footprint, productivity, and cost initiatives.
Support and challenge Plant Managers and functional leaders (Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality) on key decisions impacting cost, capital, and profitability.
Provide oversight and guidance on major business cases and capital investment proposals, ensuring robust financial evaluation and post‑implementation reviews.
Contribute to strategic planning and long-term financial roadmaps for the cluster, including productivity, margin expansion, and cost optimization programs.
Set expectations and provide direction to Plant Controllers on standard costing, BOM and routing governance, and variance analysis.
Ensure consistency in costing methodologies and assumptions across plants to enable meaningful comparison of performance.
Monitor high-level trends in material, labor, and overhead variances across the cluster, driving cross-site actions on systemic issues.
Oversee inventory valuation and control practices across plants, ensuring accuracy, discipline in cycle counts/physicals, and effective management of reserves.