Plant Controller

Graham Packaging Company•Lee's Summit, MO

About The Position

Graham Packaging is hiring a Plant Controller for its newest manufacturing facility in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. The role is a hands-on finance leadership position supporting a start-up operation and serving as the primary finance business partner for the facility. As a member of the Plant Leadership Team, the Plant Controller will establish and maintain financial controls, reporting processes, inventory management practices, performance management tools, and decision-support capabilities. The role reports directly to the Regional Controller and partners closely with plant leadership to improve profitability, productivity, inventory performance, and capital investment decisions while supporting the facility’s growth. The role focuses on three areas: insight and business partnership; financial controls and compliance; and planning, forecasting, and reporting. Success is measured through conversion cost management, labor productivity, inventory accuracy, forecast and budget accuracy, working capital, capital project execution and return on investment, cost savings, EBITDA improvement, financial control compliance, and operational partnership. Graham describes itself as a people-, planet-, and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. Its Blue Culture emphasizes safety, continuous improvement, innovation, accountability, cooperation, collaboration, integrity, respect, learning, and growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
At least 5 years of progressive accounting or finance experience, preferably in manufacturing.
Strong understanding of cost accounting, inventory management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all organizational levels.
Ability to work independently while partnering effectively with finance and operations teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Plant Controller, Senior Cost Accountant, or in Operations Finance or Manufacturing Finance.
Experience with SAP and enterprise financial systems.
Experience with Business Warehouse (BW), HFM, Power BI, or similar reporting and data-visualization tools.
Experience supporting continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or operational excellence initiatives.
Experience in a startup, greenfield, expansion, or high-growth manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Serve on the Plant Leadership Team and provide financial leadership and strategic support for operational decisions.
Partner with the Plant Manager and operational leaders to identify opportunities to improve profitability, productivity, and cash flow.
Identify and monitor KPIs affecting conversion costs and operational efficiency.
Analyze manufacturing costs, labor productivity, and operational performance; identify improvement opportunities and drive corrective actions.
Support continuous improvement, including A3 processes, waste reduction, productivity enhancement, and cost optimization.
Lead financial analysis and business-case development for capital projects, maintenance initiatives, and cost-saving opportunities (AFEs).
Evaluate profitability by customer, product, SKU, and mold to support business decisions.
Provide financial recommendations that inform spending, staffing, and resource-allocation decisions.
Deliver financial training to plant leadership and operational teams on cost drivers, financial performance, and operational levers.
Support plant and cross-functional initiatives as needed, including safety, quality, and operational excellence programs.
Maintain effective financial and operational controls in compliance with company policies, SOX requirements, and internal control standards.
Partner with internal and external auditors and support audit activities.
Ensure the accuracy and integrity of standard costs and cost-accounting processes.
Lead inventory-control efforts to improve accuracy, minimize variances, reduce obsolescence, and optimize working capital.
Oversee monthly cycle counts, annual physical inventory activities, inventory reconciliations, and annual tagged physical inventories.
Maintain fixed-asset records and complete annual fixed-asset verification and audit requirements.
Monitor compliance with inventory practices, including FIFO methodologies and inventory governance procedures.
Identify and implement process improvements that strengthen financial controls and operational effectiveness.
Lead the monthly financial close and ensure timely, accurate reporting of plant results.
Analyze monthly operating results and communicate drivers, risks, opportunities, and performance trends to plant and executive leadership.
Develop and maintain annual operating budgets, monthly forecasts, and long-range financial projections.
Partner with plant leadership to identify and execute actions needed to meet financial commitments.
Perform manufacturing variance analysis covering labor, material, overhead, and conversion costs.
Develop, maintain, and improve standard-costing methodologies and processes; review and approve product standard costs.
Serve as the financial scorekeeper for labor, variable spending, and plant productivity metrics.
Ensure plant leadership has reporting tools and performance measures to manage daily operations.
Support special projects, operational analyses, and strategic initiatives as required.