Plant Controller - Automotive

Location: Fremont, OH
Industry: Manufacturing – Foam / Polyurethane Production
Company: Confidential
Reports To: Plant Manager
Direct Reports: Senior Accountant and Accounting Clerk
Tier I Automotive Experience Preferred

Position Overview

A confidential Tier I automotive supplier in Chattanooga, TN is seeking a hands-on Plant Controller with strong expertise in manufacturing cost accounting to lead all financial operations for a foam/polyurethane production facility.

This position reports directly to the Plant Manager and serves as a key member of the plant leadership team. The Controller will be responsible for driving financial accuracy, cost discipline, inventory integrity, and operational margin performance in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

This is a leadership role with direct supervision of a Senior Accountant and an Accounting Clerk, ensuring strong internal controls and financial process execution at the plant level.

Key Responsibilities – Heavy Cost Accounting Emphasis

• Lead all plant-level accounting and financial reporting functions

• Own and manage standard costing systems, cost rollups, and BOM accuracy

• Perform detailed material, labor, scrap, yield, and overhead variance analysis

• Analyze manufacturing absorption, inventory valuation, and gross margin performance

• Drive cost reduction initiatives in partnership with Operations

• Oversee WIP, raw material, and finished goods costing accuracy

• Lead inventory controls, cycle counts, and annual physical inventory

• Manage monthly close, forecasting, and annual budgeting processes

• Support capital expenditure analysis and ROI modeling

• Ensure GAAP compliance and strong internal controls

• Provide financial insight and cost transparency to plant leadership

Leadership & Reporting Structure

• Reports directly to the Plant Manager

• Directly manages the Senior Accountant and Accounting Clerk

• Develops and mentors plant accounting staff

• Partners cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, and Corporate Finance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required (CPA or CMA preferred)

• Minimum 5+ years of manufacturing accounting experience

• Strong hands-on cost accounting and standard costing expertise required

• Tier I automotive manufacturing experience strongly preferred

• Experience in foam, polyurethane, plastics, or chemical manufacturing a plus

• ERP system experience required

• Advanced Excel skills

• Experience supporting high-volume, multi-shift production environments

Compensation

Base Salary: $115,000 – $120,000
Bonus eligible + comprehensive benefits package