Plant Controller

Plant Controller

Location: Mankato, MN Salary: $90,000 - $110,000

Benefits

Company-Paid Benefits

• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability (STD)
• Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• 3 Weeks PTO
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave

Additional Benefits

• 401(k) with Company Match
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employee Discount Programs
• Career Development and Tuition Assistance
• Diverse, Inclusive, and Welcoming Culture

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Plant Controller to provide financial leadership for our manufacturing facility in Mankato, Minnesota. This role is responsible for the plant's Profit & Loss (P&L), Balance Sheet, cost accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and operational financial analysis.

The Plant Controller will serve as a key business partner to the Plant Manager and Operations Leadership team, helping drive plant performance through meaningful financial analysis, cost control initiatives, inventory management, and continuous improvement efforts.

This position also provides financial oversight and support to a secondary facility located in Cincinnati, Ohio and requires monthly travel to that location.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Financial Leadership

• Own and manage plant P&L and Balance Sheet reporting.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities.
• Perform budget-to-actual variance analysis and communicate results to leadership.
• Develop annual budgets, forecasts, and financial models.
• Provide actionable financial insights to plant leadership.
• Partner with the Plant Manager to improve operational and financial performance.

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Manage all cost accounting functions for the facility.
• Analyze labor, overhead, inventory, scrap, productivity, and production-related costs.
• Perform standard cost maintenance and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Monitor inventory accuracy and support cycle count and physical inventory processes.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with operations to improve profitability and manufacturing efficiency.

Accounting & Controls

• Perform balance sheet reconciliations and account analysis.
• Reconcile sub-ledgers to the general ledger.
• Maintain fixed asset schedules and depreciation records.
• Assess and strengthen internal controls.
• Support audit preparation and compliance activities.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Support tax filings and business compliance requirements.
• Prepare financial reports for corporate leadership.
• Ensure financial data integrity and confidentiality.

Secondary Facility Support

• Provide financial oversight for the Cincinnati facility.
• Travel monthly to Cincinnati to review financial and operational performance.
• Partner with facility leadership to drive accountability and performance improvements.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting (required)

Experience

Manufacturing experience is required.

Candidates must possess:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a Plant Controller, Assistant Plant Controller, Manufacturing Controller, Cost Accounting Manager, or similar manufacturing finance role.
• Minimum 3 years of accounting or finance experience supporting a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated cost accounting experience within a manufacturing facility.
• Experience with:
  • Standard costing
  • Inventory accounting
  • Manufacturing variance analysis
  • Labor and overhead analysis
  • Inventory controls
  • Production costing
• Minimum 5 years of experience with account reconciliations and financial reporting.
• Experience developing and managing plant budgets and forecasts.
• ERP system experience required.
• ERP implementation experience preferred.
• Experience partnering directly with Plant Managers and Operations Leaders.
• Experience supporting audits, internal controls, and compliance initiatives.

Technical Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong financial modeling and analytical capabilities.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, audits, and accounting principles.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA and/or CMA designation.
• Manufacturing finance leadership experience.
• Multi-site manufacturing experience.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and cost reduction initiatives.
• Experience supporting capital expenditure planning and inventory optimization.
• Strong understanding of operational metrics and manufacturing KPIs.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will:

• Have direct Plant Controller experience within a manufacturing operation.
• Be highly experienced in cost accounting and manufacturing finance.
• Have a proven track record partnering with Plant Managers and Operations teams.
• Understand inventory management, standard costing, and manufacturing variances.
• Be comfortable working independently within a plant environment while collaborating across multiple facilities.
• Possess strong leadership, communication, and business partnering skills.

Location Preference

Strong preference will be given to candidates who are local to Mankato, MN or regional candidates within a reasonable commuting distance.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 25% travel.
• Monthly travel to Cincinnati, OH required.

Physical Requirements

• Must wear appropriate PPE while on the manufacturing floor.
• Ability to access manufacturing and warehouse environments.
• Travel to manufacturing facilities as required.

Important Note

This position requires direct manufacturing Plant Controller or manufacturing finance experience. Candidates whose backgrounds are primarily in hospitality, retail, professional services, restaurants, healthcare, non-profit, or general accounting environments without manufacturing plant finance experience will not be considered.