Plant Controller

Standard Iron ‚Ä¢ Hartford, WI ‚Ä¢ Full Time

Posted on Thu, Jun 25, 2026

Position Summary
The Plant Controller is a senior finance leadership role responsible for all financial and accounting activities for Standard Iron’s largest manufacturing location, representing approximately 40% of total revenue. Reporting directly to the CFO, this position serves as the lead finance business partner to the site’s operational leadership during this period of growth and will manage a small team.
The Plant Controller will lead the division’s financial planning, reporting, cost accounting, and operational finance functions, while ensuring alignment with company finance policies and overall business objectives. The Plant Controller plays a critical role in driving financial discipline, strengthening cost visibility, and building scalable processes to support continued growth at the site.
Deeply embedded with location leadership, this role blends strong technical accounting with hands-on operational finance leadership and operational insight, helping scale processes, improve visibility, and drive profitable growth. The Controller will play a critical role in enhancing cost discipline and building a high-performing finance function aligned with the company’s growth trajectory.Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

Serve as the primary finance leader for the plant, partnering with the Plant Manager and leadership team
Provide financial insights, analysis, and recommendations to drive profitability and operational efficiency
Translate financial data into actionable strategies to improve margins, pricing, and cost structure

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

With the CFO, lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes
Develop and maintain robust financial models and performance metrics (KPIs)
Analyze variances and provide clear explanations with actionable recommendations
Monitor revenue, gross margin, labor efficiency, and overhead absorption

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

Oversee standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation processes
Drive continuous improvement in cost accounting processes and systems
Partner with operations to improve labor productivity, material usage, and scrap reduction

Accounting & Controls

Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial statements
Oversee month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes for the plant
Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with company policies and audit requirements
Coordinate with internal and external auditors

Operational & Strategic Support

Evaluate capital expenditure proposals and ROI analysis
Identify risks and opportunities impacting financial performance
Participate in cross-functional initiatives, including supply chain, procurement, and operations planning

Leadership & Talent Development

Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture within the plant
Drive accountability and continuous development within the team

Qualifications
Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (required)
CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred
8 –10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience
3 – 5+ years in a leadership role within a manufacturing environment
Strong experience in cost accounting and operational finance required
Experience in a mid-sized or multi-division manufacturing organization preferred

Technical Skills

Deep knowledge of GAAP and manufacturing accounting principles
Expertise in standard costing, inventory management, and variance analysis
Strong financial modeling and analytical skills
Experience with ERP systems; advanced Excel skills
Familiarity with BI tools (e.g., Power BI) is a plus

Leadership & Competencies

Strong business acumen and strategic thinking ability
Proven ability to influence cross-functional leaders and drive change
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Hands-on, proactive, and results-oriented mindset
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment

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 $110,000–$168,000 per year (median ~$135,000). This is an AuditFriendly estimate, not an employer-provided figure.

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