Pensacola Site Controller

Ascend Performance Materials • Pensacola, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Ascend Performance Materials is a premium provider of high quality chemicals, fibers and plastics with world-scale integrated manufacturing facilities globally. As a privately-held company, Ascend offers team members significant opportunities for contribution and growth. The company is seeking an experienced Site Controller to support Ascend and Guest owned units at its Pensacola, FL manufacturing site. This role is a key member of both the Finance and Site Leadership Teams, responsible for leading and ensuring accountability for all financial aspects of the Pensacola operation. The Site Controller will drive continuous operational improvement through engaged business partnering, robust analytics, timely and accurate accounting, and strong business acumen. Key responsibilities include managing plant-level costs and controls, cost accounting, cost analysis, leading budgeting/forecasting processes, month-end close, and special projects. The Controller will also collaborate closely with department leaders to understand financial impacts, educate on cost drivers, and variances, and will report directly to the Operations Finance Director while supporting the Pensacola Site Director.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in a Technical area, Business, Finance or Accounting.
• 10+ years of experience in business, accounting, financial planning with data analysis.
• 5+ years of experience leading a finance team at a large complex manufacturing site.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Proven skills with databased software and ERP packages such as SAP (experience desirable) or JD Edward, Hyperion, BPC or other.
• History in building performance relationships and partnering with those outside of accounting.
• Ability to assimilate disparate information to develop detailed analysis and options.
• Proactive and willing to get involved in projects outside of comfort level and ability to involve others in the solution process.
• Proven problem solving skills.
• Ability to break a problem down to its component parts and resolve issues allowing for a solution beneficial to all involved.
• Results oriented and able to keep all stakeholders involved in the progress towards completion of the tasks and be focused on the end game.
• Demonstrated ability to impact and influence others both inside and outside of the function to get to the best solution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and work in a collaborative manner with diverse cross-functional and cross-business teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and accountability for all financial aspects of the Pensacola operation in order to drive continuous operational improvement by building a team capable of engaged business partnering, robust analytics, timely/accurate accounting and possessing strong business acumen.
• Responsible for plant level costs and controls including cost accounting and cost analysis.
• Lead the budgeting/forecasting processes, month-end close and special projects as requested.
• Work closely with department leaders to understand issues and how they impact the financial results as well as educate/inform department(s) on cost drivers and variances.
• Lead the site team in developing and achieving our financial goals.
• Provide key analysis and data that drive better decision making.
• Ensure the site has strong internal controls that protect our assets.
• Champion a culture of A2E (Six Sigma) in all our thinking and processes.
• Act as business partner with the Site Leadership Team to help drive business improvements.
• Prepare impactful management information and reporting for use by business partners in managing their business and for communicating key results, issues, and challenges to the Plant Manager and Chemicals Business Team.
• Create cross functional collaboration and support for key ideas and initiatives by liaising with various cross functional roles such as corporate accounting, procurement, logistics and other financial functions on behalf of the plant and/or business partners.
• Analyze performance and financials for the site on a weekly, monthly and annual or ad hoc basis.
• Identify risk & opportunities in achieving annual targets.
• Use various information systems such as SAP, BW, BPC and Microsoft Office Suite to extract needed data and turn it into analyzed information, conclusions and recommendations.
• Generate scorecards that drive improved performance.
• Support and deliver key projects/initiatives with robust analysis, commercial insight and creative problem solving.
• Advise business on key financial topics (cash management, tax, accounting, etc.).
• Manage guest contracts, ensuring maximum recovery from our Guest operations.
• Identify and assess key value drivers, risks, and opportunities in order to maximize production levels.
• Advise site leadership team and operations on financial impact of decisions and recommend best course of action based on knowledge and analysis.
• Provide analytical expertise to analyze and assist in tracking of cost reduction activities, and capacity expansion/rationalization projects.
• Lead a team of analyst to complete monthly closing activities, which include computing monthly standards, making journal entries, performing variance analysis, reconciling accounts.
• Coordinate the site’s annual budgeting and planning process.
• Coordinate/participate in the operations forecasting process (production changes and material cost assumptions) and projected impact to the assigned manufacturing plants/business group.
• Produce cost estimates of Capital projects, identify risks, exposures, and provide guidance on project agreements.

Benefits

• Access to on-site medical clinics at our U.S. facilities
• A global wellness rewards program
• Performance Matters, an employee-driven recognition plan
• Ascend Cares Foundation, led by Ascend employees, supports Ascend families in times of need, provides inspiring opportunities for community engagement and facilitates community leadership
• Leadership development, skills training and mentoring programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees