Plant Controller
Smithfield Foods • Denison, IA • Full Time
Posted on Thu, Oct 1, 2026
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Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now!
Your Opportunity
This position provides accounting support to the production facility including cost accounting, inventory control, accounts payable, payroll, billing, and preparation of plant financial and other control reports. Supervises the maintenance of manufacturing, inventory, and finished goods ledgers and cost accounting activities. Compiles and analyzes operating performance reports. Prepares and analyzes unusual items on financial reports. Sets standards for the conduct of accounting work and required performance and also supervises compliance with such standards. Supervises the preparation and distribution of hourly and salary payrolls, including the maintenance of required earnings, deduction records, and applicable labor performance measure reporting. Supervises the preparation of shipping documents, raw materials, supply, and production inventory accounting.
Core Responsibilities
Operations Teamwork
- Participate in plant management meetings as well as core product review meetings; assist plant management in preparation of quarterly review graphs and routine items; assist in preparing materials for meetings; assist plant management in operations improvement activities; provide SAP, ADC, and other related system training and support; proactively identify opportunities that can make a contribution outside traditional sphere of influence; work actively with purchasing and maintenance departments to reduce inventory balances and free up capital.
Controllership
- Responsible for the protection of company assets (meat, packaging, maintenance supplies, fixed assets, etc.); ensure inventory results and balances are reconciled and valued accurately per corporate policy; ensure compliance with SOX and annual internal auditing; responsible for Internal Order (IO) administration (capital and expense projects); adherence to GAAP; audit payroll distribution, and routinely review general ledger accounts to ensure consistency and accuracy (at least monthly).
Cost Accounting
- Administer the bill of materials (BOM audits and corrections as well as creating and deleting and BOM’s); distribute material and labor variances to plant personnel on a daily basis; report variances to plant and corporate personnel monthly; report monthly to corporate slow moving inventory (MRO and Pkg); spend time on production floor in order to enhance understanding of processes; reporting general ledger entries by 1st preliminary cutoff.
Human Resource Management
- Effectively communicate with staff; manage staff performance; develop staff and cross train; and manage overtime.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field and 5+ years of professional accounting experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.
- Knowledge of Accounting software, Contact Management systems, Inventory software, manufacturing software, and Microsoft Office, specifically advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel including use of Pivot Tables and analytical tools.
- Solid understanding of cost accounting concepts.
- SAP experience, preferred.
- Solid mathematical and analytical skills.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Requires flexibility and willingness to work as part of a team.
- Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time.
- Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
- Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position supervises the accounting team located at the plant.
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
- Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The majority of the time is spent in an office setting outside of the production plant. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.
- Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision includes close vision and ability to adjust focus.
- Frequently required to sit, use hands to handle, or feel, and talk or hear


Relocation Package Available

Yes


EEO Information
Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.
AuditFriendly salary estimate
The employer did not post a salary for this role. Based on AuditFriendly's salary intelligence model (comparable live postings, role, seniority, and location), we estimate base pay of $114,000–$177,000 per year (median ~$143,000). This is an AuditFriendly estimate, not an employer-provided figure.
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What the data says about this job
- Advertised pay for Controller: a median of $129,000 across 5,890 priced postings. Explore the market
- Smithfield Foods's roles typically close in 12 days; the market median is 14 days. Time to close
- None of Smithfield Foods's 9 tracked postings is more than six months old. Posting hygiene
Measured from employers' own postings and public filings. How we measure