Plant Controller

Morton Salt is an iconic company with a strong heritage and a bright future. Since 1848, we have been improving lives and enhancing everyday moments – at home, at work and virtually everywhere in between. We help unlock the flavors in food, make roads and sidewalks safer, improve the water in baths, pools, and homes, and keep businesses and industries running. We are a dedicated team who constantly strives to do better together, and we are passionate about building a sustainable future for our company, the communities in which we operate, and the world around us. By joining our team, you will contribute to producing and delivering every form of salt that enhances everyday life.

Job Summary

The Lyons Plant Controller will be responsible for the accounting functions of the Lyons Salt mine and production facility, including the cost accounting function. The role has two direct reports: a senior accountant located in Overland Park, KS and an A/P shared resource with Detroit Salt located in Detroit, MI to support the function. The Plant Controller reports to the Director Controlling – Highway and Chemical Segment with an additional reporting line to the General Manager of the Lyons Salt Company. The role will require excellent communication skills to understand the operations of the mine and work with the General Manager of the site to ensure all activity is properly accounted for.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Lyons Plant accounting department.
• Responsible for monthly plant financial closing process, including cost accounting for inventory at the mine and depot sites, and operating reports.  Oversight and responsibility of financial processes, including invoicing, cash collections, payroll, payments, fixed assets, and calculating accrued liabilities.
• Create and maintain bills of materials to ensure proper costing of inventory.
• Prepare and/or review monthly account reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly sales tax data; submit to 3^rd party CPAs for filing.
• Supervise staff and delegate responsibilities to effectively accomplish the department’s goals and objectives.
• Review, approve, and evaluate work to ensure quality, timeliness, and adherence to policies and procedures.
• Maintain system of accounts and keep books and records on all transactions and assets.
• Interface with operating and shipping departments for accounting needs.  Provide analytical support to operations for evaluation of performance and operating decisions.
• Coordinate activities to ensure timeliness of monthly, quarterly, and year-end accounting reporting requirements, including coordination of the annual audit requirements specific to the Lyons business unit. 
• Assist in the preparation of the annual budget.  Responsible for tracking capital spend and providing monthly reporting and variance explanations to the corporate accounting function.
• Provide other company facilities with related information required by them to carry out their assigned responsibilities.
• Prepare, evaluate, and communicate on variances between actual results compared to prior year and budgets to the management team on a monthly basis and throughout the month as required.
• Travel to Lyons Mine will be required on quarterly basis with additional trips to the Lyons Mine as deemed necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minimum of 7 years of experience in all aspects of accounting.
• Experience in a manufacturing, mining, distribution, or inventory-based environment.
• Experience with cost accounting, including creation and management of bills of materials, and managerial reporting.
• Previous senior level accounting leadership with broad accounting and analysis experience including accounts receivable, prepaids, fixed assets, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities preferred.
• Previous experience managing staff with the ability to motivate, delegate, and review other’s work, along with the willingness to accept and apply constructive criticism.
• Strong communication, organization and interpersonal skills necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and business partners.
• Self-starter with proven ability to manage multiple projects within deadlines in a fast-paced organization and achieve desired results.
• Experience in analyzing processes with the mindset of streamlining and process improvements to create an efficient work environment.
• Strong planning and organizational skills; ability to prioritize and plan work activities, use time efficiently, and develop realistic action plans.
• Highest level of integrity, strong work ethic, problem-solving skills, and ability to effectively manage confidential information.
• Proficient knowledge of accounting systems required; Microsoft Navision experience preferred.

At Morton Salt, we work best when we work as a team, when we treat one another with dignity and respect, and value the unique contributions of others. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, national origin, sex, religion, color, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.