Plant Controller

The Plant Controller is a strategic partner to Operations and Supply Chain leadership, driving system-enabled processes that ensure financial accuracy and operational efficiency across manufacturing and supply chain. This role owns cost accounting, COGS planning, and the annual standards review—including BOM, labor routings, and overhead rate calculations—while maintaining strong controls over standard cost updates. The position manages SAP production module close, quarterly reporting, and plays a critical role in COGS governance. In addition, the role coordinates the budgeting and forecasting process for Operations in Yuba City as part of the broader enterprise budgeting process laid out by the Director of Decision Support. The Plant Controller is able to effectively represent Finance with Operations Leadership and represent Operations with Finance Leadership, ensuring that no barriers are created between these departments

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES

              The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other related duties may be required and assigned.

1. Lead annual standard review and update of standard costs, including BOM, labor routings, overhead rates, and material master set up. Ensure accurate calculation, application of overhead rates across manufacturing operations and absorption costing.
2. Lead Yuba City CO close process including but not limited to production work order closing, cost center expense review against budget and prior year, and absorption clearing. Provide analysis on manufacturing variances.
3. Lead preparation and presentation of the Plant Financial Scorecard review for Yuba City plant with operations and supply chain.
4. Lead budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis for manufacturing and supply chain operations. Develop and manage COGS planning processes aligned with business objectives.
5. Lead development process and update business rules for Plant / Manufacturing P&L in SAP ERP annually to ensure compliance and accuracy.
6. Partner with internal IT team to lead the management and continuous improvement of the core ERP (SAP) and related tools and modules. Own the requirements and communication in support of impactful management reporting and analysis for the plant and supply chain teams
7. Provide scenario analysis to support strategic decisions on sourcing and capital investments. Perform postmortem reviews on completed projects.
8. Partner with plant managers and relevant supply chain leaders to monitor KPIs and provide insights (Conversion cost, yield, efficiency, waste, labor productivity).
9. Identify cost-saving opportunities and support continuous improvement initiatives.
10. Collaborate and lead development of internal ERP system to help identify margin improvement opportunities. Provide cost optimization and operational insights.
11. Collaborate with procurement on commodity price trends and cost mitigation strategies relevant to the Yuba City Plant
12. Support new product launches with relevant plant specific cost analysis.
13. Ensure adherence to GAAP and corporate financial policies.
14. Maintain strong internal controls over inventory valuation and cost accounting processes.
15. Support audits and provide accurate documentation for operational finance activities.
16. Plant Productivity Metrics and KPI Dashboards delivered weekly prior to final month-end close.
17. Identify or influence cost savings and productivity opportunities per fiscal year in Yuba City (aligned with enterprise framework).
18. Stakeholder Satisfaction: Measured annually; aim for >4 (out of 5) feedback from Operations on partnership, communication clarity, and responsiveness
19. Zero critical errors in SAP Manufacturing data and Master data (routing, BOM, rates, cost fields)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge/Skills: 

• Strong understanding of cost accounting, supply chain finance, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency using ERP systems (SAP, Oracle) and BI Tools (SAP Analytics Cloud, Power BI, Tableau). Excellent skills in Excel.
• Demonstrates advanced proficiency in ERP systems (preferably SAP), financial automation tools, and data analytics platforms.
• Comfortable leveraging technology to streamline processes, improve accuracy, and drive efficiency.
• Process Improvement Mindset
• Manufacturing Finance Expertise

Ability to: 

• Effective communication skills: able to translate effectively between operations and finance stakeholders.
• Comfortable being part of multiple teams.
• Partner with IT to implement system enhancements and optimize workflows.

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (MBA or CMA preferred).
• 7+ years of accounting/finance experience, with at least 3 years in operations or manufacturing finance within CPG.

Physical/Safety Requirements: 

• Tolerate extended periods of sitting at desk.
• Ambient noise is louder than a traditional office setting.