Plant Controller II

Shape Corp.•Grand Haven Charter Township, MI

About The Position

The Plant Controller is a key member of the plant leadership team and the lead financial advisor to plant management. The role provides financial leadership across plant operations, plans and coordinates plant budgeting and business planning in accordance with corporate policies and practices, and recommends ways to improve site performance. Key areas include spend and variance analysis, forecasting, KPI management and reporting, asset safeguarding and efficiency, and evaluating and tracking cost initiatives. The Plant Controller manages accounting operations and financial reporting, supports operational and capital decisions, and works with plant and senior leaders to identify risks, improve performance, and explain financial results. The role also develops staff, shares best practices across the global finance team, maintains internal controls, and ensures accounting complies with U.S. GAAP and local statutory requirements.

Requirements

At least 3–5 years of experience in a similar position in a manufacturing environment.
Knowledge of budgeting and forecasting techniques and proficiency in financial statement analysis and projection.
Knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
Cost accounting experience.
Demonstrated expertise in MS Office and manufacturing financial software.
Good planning and organizational skills.
Strong analytical skills.
Experience handling multiple concurrent tasks and meeting strict deadlines.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret financial reports and legal documents.
Ability to respond effectively to sensitive business inquiries.
Ability to communicate effectively with management, public groups, peers, and staff.
Ability to build relationships with colleagues and staff in charge.
High standards of personal and professional integrity and character, and a commitment to promoting ethical business behavior.
Ability to work cooperatively as a team player with the business.
Ability to lead and motivate teams toward a common goal.
Strong, pragmatic business acumen.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Plex, OneStream, or HFM.

Responsibilities

Manage accounting operations, including inventory and cost accounting, standard-cost maintenance and annual cost rolls for materials, labor, and overhead, and financial results.
Manage month-end close and prepare monthly financial statements and operational reports for the site; improve operational reporting on efficiency, scrap, and related measures using OneStream.
Analyze variances and trends, explain results to management, identify root causes and improvement opportunities, and recommend actions.
Determine fixed and variable cost structures and model flexible forecasts for business changes, including consolidation, launch, and transition.
Prepare plant income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow forecasts.
Safeguard assets by overseeing inventory balances and cycle counts, supporting working-capital improvement plans, and participating in capital expenditure business cases and post-spend audits.
Work with management to develop and track a risk-and-opportunities database.
Lead financial and operational budgeting and provide a monthly bridge to full P&L results.
Work across organizational boundaries and company levels to achieve plant, country, and corporate objectives.
Integrate and train new staff and lead the continued professional development of the existing team.
Share best practices across the global finance team, including process improvements, financial modeling, and procedural changes.
Provide proactive consultation, interpretation, and education on complex financial and operational matters to departmental leaders to support business decisions.
Collaborate with the Plant Manager, Division Leader, and senior management to explain results, drive improvements, manage projects, identify inefficiencies, understand operations, and lead complex analysis.
Monitor and implement plant internal controls in conjunction with corporate policies to protect reporting integrity and company assets and identify risks.
Ensure proper accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and local statutory requirements.
Estimate product costs to support quoting activities.
Identify and train backup personnel to manage key tasks during absences.
Perform additional functions as directed by the leader.