JOB DESCRIPTION:

Functioning as the Plant Controller, the Operational Finance Lead is responsible for leading all aspects of manufacturing finance, including product costing, inventory valuation, financial planning, and financial close integrity within a complex SAP environment.

This role ensures the accuracy, transparency, and scalability of cost and operational financial data in a moving average and variant-configured product environment. The position serves as a key business partner to plant and operations leadership, translating financial data into actionable insights and driving improved business performance.

In addition, this role leads and develops the cost accounting team, building capability and strengthening the organization’s long-term manufacturing finance expertise.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Costing & Inventory Management

• Own the integrity of product costing in a moving average price (MAP) environment
• Ensure accuracy of inventory valuation, cost of goods sold, and margin reporting
• Lead analysis of:
• Material cost changes
• Purchase price impacts
• Production and inventory cost drivers
• Monitor and manage inventory reserves, including excess, obsolete, and net realizable value
• Provide clear visibility into margin performance by product, configuration, and business drivers

• Own SAP costing processes and data structures, including:
• Material master data
• Bills of material (BOMs) and routings
• Cost components and cost flows
• Ensure data integrity across systems impacting product cost
• Partner with IT, engineering, and operations to resolve costing inconsistencies
• Lead continuous improvement of costing processes and system functionality

• Lead plant-level budgeting and forecasting processes
• Develop financial plans based on:
• Production assumptions
• Cost behavior
• Product mix and configuration
• Monitor performance against plan and provide actionable variance analysis
• Support capital investment analysis and long-term planning efforts

• Ensure accurate and timely completion of month-, quarter-, and year-end close processes
• Oversee and review:
• Journal entries
• Production order settlement
• Account reconciliations
• Maintain ownership of plant-level financial reporting and balance sheet integrity
• Ensure compliance with IFRS and corporate reporting requirements
• Support internal and external audit processes

• Serve as a finance business partner to plant and operations leadership
• Participate in plant leadership reviews and performance discussions
• Provide financial insights to support:
• Production decisions
• Cost reduction initiatives
• Supply chain and sourcing strategies
• Translate operational metrics into financial impact and recommendations

• Lead and develop the cost accounting team, including coaching and performance management
• Build technical expertise in:
• SAP costing
• Manufacturing finance analytics
• Develop high-potential employees and establish succession plans
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

• Strengthen internal controls over inventory, costing, and financial processes
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability
• Lead initiatives to standardize and document key cost accounting processes

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing finance or cost accounting
• Strong experience in SAP manufacturing environments
• Deep understanding of:
• Inventory valuation
• Cost of goods sold in non-standard cost environments
• Financial close and reporting processes
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing teams
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• CPA, CMA, or MBA
• Experience with moving average costing environments
• Experience with variant-configured products or complex BOM structures
• Prior experience in a plant controller or operations finance leadership role

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