Plant Controller

Location: Columbia, MO, United States
Date Posted: Oct 2, 2026
Category: Accounting & Finance

Description

Plant Controller

Purpose and Scope/General Summary: The Plant Controller is responsible for managing and directing all the finance efforts of the plant as well as supporting other administrative plant functions, as needed. Accountable for all financial aspects of the plant in collaboration with plant management, while ensuring compliance with company policies. The Plant Controller will be instrumental in bringing analytical analyses to the leadership team to enable decisions that directly impact business performance and outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Assist management with monthly/quarterly/annual reporting package.
• Perform P&L explanation for key variances in Price, Mix, Volume and Cost Drivers.
• Analyze current and past financial data and performance.
• Prepare reports and projections based on this analysis.
• Establish and evaluate profit plans.
• Identify trends in financial performance and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Provide financial models and forecasting.
• Prepare budgeting and forecasts including ZBB (zero based budgeting).
• Maintain accounting procedures and documentation. Maintain internal finance systems. Drive performance measurements from a financial view and monitor key accounts.
• Responsible for providing the organization and its management with appropriate financial and operating information. This individual and the accounting staff are expected to work with other department groups on problems involving financial reporting, controls, and performance.
• Prepare annual budget in accordance with corporate process and manage the budget and estimates monthly through the year.
• Work with the Plant Manager and procurement team to reduce the inventory balance at the plant level.
• Lead the effort to identify cost savings improvement ideas for the plant. Track the actual performance of these savings, while partnering with local plant management and divisional team for cost savings ideas. Participate in continuous improvement teams to help drive improvement and positive change.
• Conduct plant audits to review inventories of fixed assets, finished product, work in process, raw materials, packaging and spare parts in the storeroom.
• Review/update and create standard cost for each SKU for finished goods or WIP.
• Ensure all plant personnel and supervisors are adequately trained in all required accounting procedures, audit and review as needed.
• Review the storeroom to ensure cycle counts are complete and inventory is accurate – assist in full physical inventory as needed.
• First line approver in the procurement process on all plant requisitions. Responsible for making sure that the proper general ledger account and cost centers are correctly being used. This includes classification of plant and capital expenditures.
• Prepare all Capital Expenditure requests in AFETS for routing approvals and ensure all proper supporting documents are attached.
• Ensure all accounts payable and supplier inquiries are responded to in a timely fashion and effective corrective action occurs.
• Coordinate with quality to ensure all non-conforming material is properly placed and released from Quality Hold and dispositioned correctly.
• Perform month-end reconciliation and accounting close processes.
• Heavy focus on internal controls. Identify financial risks and develop appropriate action plans.
• Supervise and motivate staff and ensure successful completion of accounting duties and reports.
• Monitor performance of direct reports. Review direct reports and approve performance appraisals.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• BA or BS in Accounting or Finance, MBA Preferred; will accept a combination of relevant experience and education
• 5-7 years of manufacturing experience in a mid-to-senior level finance or accounting position and a solid understanding of standard cost accounting
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and projections. Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles
• MS Office proficiency, SAP proficiency strongly preferred
• Excellent professional communication – both written and verbal
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Collaboration skills
• SAP Experience is a strong positive
• A team player with a positive, can-do attitude and agility to flex multiple work streams fluidly
• Can perform the functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation
• As a salaried position with the company, you may be required to travel at some point to other facilities, to attend Company events, or as a representative of the Company in other situations. Unless otherwise specified in this posting, the amount of travel may vary and the most qualified candidate must be willing and able to travel as business needs dictate.

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

About us: JBS USA is a leading global food company providing diversified, high-quality products to customers in approximately 100 countries on six continents. Our team members and facilities in the United States allow us to offer a diverse portfolio of fresh, value added and branded beef, pork, chicken and prepared foods products. JBS USA is also the majority shareholder of Pilgrim’s, the largest poultry company in the world. JBS USA employs more than 72,000 team members in 31 United States and Canada.

Our mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members.

Our core values are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity

EOE, including disability/vets

Unsolicited Assistance: JBS and its companies do not accept unsolicited assistance from any recruitment vendors for any of our open jobs. All resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee at JBS and its companies or via the applicant tracking system, in any form without a valid written request and search agreement previously approved by HR, will be solely owned by JBS and its companies. No fees will be paid should the candidate be hired by JBS and its companies because of an unsolicited referral.