Program Controller

Onward Group•Troy, MI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Controller is responsible for overseeing all Launch Program Financials, including overall program profitability, Capital Expenditure (CapEx) and Tooling Project hours, and Engineering & Development (E&D) recoveries. This role involves detailed tracking of costs and recoveries for prototype builds, prototype/production tooling, and capital equipment. The Program Controller will also facilitate customer recoveries for prototype builds and tooling, ensuring all necessary documentation is submitted for invoicing and payment. Additionally, the role requires collaboration with plant controllers for monthly review and approval of project-related balance sheet account reconciliations, ensuring proper procurement activities through SAP-MIRO, and setting up projects in SAP for time input. The Program Controller will generate reports on hours entered, review program CTLs for accuracy at Gate releases, and assist with month-end close activities. This position also serves as the Finance Point person for Advanced Quoting, requiring an understanding of cost estimating models and quotations, and the ability to complete customer forms and defend costing. A key responsibility includes learning and training other team members on SAP PM/PLC modules. The role also involves conducting ad hoc financial analysis, providing year-end auditor support, calculating hourly rates for billable departments, and issuing internal order numbers for cost control. Maintaining records of project-related time tracking and paid invoices for customer billing is also essential.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Minimum + 5 years in automotive finance – preferable in accounting/finance
Prefer someone that has already done project controlling type activities for automotive supplier organization
Familiar with working quotations and cost estimating (injection molding, etc.)
Strong communication and organizational skills
Strong systems background (SAP preferred experience

Responsibilities

Responsible for oversight on all Launch Program Financials (along with PM and Controllers): Overall program profitability (managing engineering change updates, etc.)
CapExp & Tooling Project hours updated and tracked
ED&D – Recoveries
Responsible for project-related cost and recovery tracking for prototype builds, prototype / production tooling, and capital equipment. This includes understanding gains/losses in each of these categories.
Responsible for facilitating the collection of prototype build and tooling customer recoveries through the cash collection. This includes coordination of the all customer-required documentation in order to invoice and be paid by the customer
In conjunction with the plant controllers, the Project Controller will be responsible for the monthly review and approval of the project-related prototype / tooling / CIP balance sheet account reconciliations
Ensure project-related procurement activities are completed properly utilizing the SAP-MIRO process (assigning proper WSB elements and accounts to PORs). Project controller will run MIRO reports monthly to track activity and report back to Finance Director on issues
Responsible for the set-up of all projects in SAP to input hours (both external and internal programs). Also follow up monthly on hours entered into projects and continue follow up with managers/employees that do not enter hours as required. Generate reports monthly on hours entered by employee
In conjunction with the Program Manager, review the program CTLs for updates and accuracy at Gate releases (profitability analysis)
Assist in the Month End close by providing project hours, downloading cost center information out of SAP and reconciliation of the capitalized development costs.
Provide cash forecast information to plants for project-related capital, tooling, and capitalized development transfer
Finance Point person for all Advanced Quoting: Ability to understand cost estimating model and quotations (work the PLC along with Sales person)
Ability to complete customer forms as required / attend with Sales people to defend costing, etc.
Point person to learn the full capabilities SAP PM / PLC modules from HQ and assist / train other NA team members (PMs, Controllers)
Conduct Ad Hoc financial analysis as required by management
Provide year-end support of auditor requirements related to project activity
Annually calculate hourly rate for billable departments
Issue internal order numbers to control program costs in SAP.
Maintain records of project related time tracking and invoices paid to bill customer for reimbursable costs.