Plant Controller

COMPANY CONFORMANCE STATEMENT

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Live by Company Core Values: Respect & Trust Each Other, Keep the Customer at the Heart of What We Do, Be Proud of What We Do, Get it Right, Keep it Right.
• Follow and adhere to all company policies and procedures, safety rules and good manufacturing practices (GMPS).

SUMMARY

• The Controller has responsibility for the commercial, operational and management finance and accounting activities for the Carson location. The role provides sound financial leadership and advice and ensures that adequate controls and financial information solutions for decision making are in place.
• This is a senior leadership role to partner with the General Manager to develop and deliver the three-year ambition to achieve sales in line with that business’ growth strategy. This requires creating business plans and building infrastructure to deliver sustainable profitable growth as the business expands.
• The Controller is responsible for providing timely, accurate, value-added and relevant financial information, forward looking analyses and insights, investment proposals and forecasts in a cost-effective manner. This enables the business to profitably deliver the highest quality products and services to customers while also empowering the Finance team to communicate relevant financial information to the USA and Group operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following, but are not limited to:

· Business Strategy - Actively contribute to the creation and update of a business strategy. Alongside the General Manager, lead the process and encourage contribution from other members of the leadership team. Ensure the strategy and organizational plans are aligned to the business model as fit for the trading environment - margins, ratios, returns, capex etc. Coordinate and ensure all elements of the strategic process are considered and included.

· Financial Control – Provide overall business and financial control, ensuring that appropriate controls are in place to manage “risk”, while also utilizing techniques that help and influence all other members of the leadership team to exploit the opportunities. Develop and implement accounting and management processes that communicate and improve the decision-making capability.

· Performance Reporting - Working alongside the General Manager, ensure business performance is meeting agreed targets and where not, define and agree corrective plans that will ensure they are met. Continually challenge all areas of the business to ensure functional teams are performing to the best of their ability. Ensure clear and accurate financial performance reporting is in place (daily / weekly / monthly) and that the leadership team fully understands the financial performance of their business. Challenge existing practices to minimize risk and maximize delivery.

· Commercial Appraisal – Work alongside commercial and marketing confirming that all commercial opportunities including NPD, tenders, promotional programs are fully evaluated to ensure the business only engages in opportunities that support delivery of the business plan. When appropriate, initiate corrective action and offer support to commercial and marketing colleagues to deliver it.

· Rolling Forecast - Champion the rolling forecast process, ensuring a realistic forecast of business performance based on clear and aligned assumptions along with an assessment of the business risks and opportunities.

· IT Champion – Ensure appropriate business solutions to support performance improvement & delivery. Liaise with IT and US Finance to ensure risks are understood.

· Financial Conscience - Act as the Financial Conscience of the business engaging with all other members of the leadership team to ensure their financial awareness is heightened and the financial consequence of their actions is recognized and understood. Influence peer group members and functional decision making across the organization.

· Cash Champion – Manage working capital ensuring suitable processes are in place to control and optimized working capital. Ensure the Leadership Team understands and reacts to the cash position of the business.

· Investment - Consider and define the investment strategy and needs of the business based on its strategic model. Ensure capital and non-capital proposals are fully evaluated with associated returns and where progressed, investment paybacks are delivered. Ensure major capital projects receive a full PCR once complete.

· People Management - Lead the finance function and ensure talented people are recruited. Inspire, motivate and develop the team to ensure they meet their own potential, needs and standards of the business and succession planning requirements of the business and US Group. Ensure personal development plans are in place and regularly reviewed to confirm progress is aligned with business and individual needs.

· Finance Forum – Engage as a key member of the Finance Forum. Identify and help implement improvements across the function by progressing US and Group initiatives through the engagement of senior finance personnel across the organization. Actively participate in the US talent planning and development process ensuring all identified personnel within the function are suitably developed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

position 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 and rewarding performance; disciplining employees on a timely basis; addressing complaints and resolving issues and concerns; fosters a positive and respectful work environment.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Strong academic credentials, including a finance, accounting or other relevant degree; a CPA and/or M.B.A. are desirable. 5 years of senior level finance leadership experience.

o Diverse and progressive finance/accounting experience is preferred in a high growth environment

o Experience managing plant controlling, commercial finance, financial planning & analysis, forecasting & budgeting and capital planning in manufacturing-based environment.

o Strong commercial and operational role with finance function ownership of a P&L and accountable for business performance and delivery

o Demonstrated ability to use data-based analytics and create forward looking analyses to drive solid business decision-making throughout the business.

o Experience in the food industry is preferred. Manufacturing and logistics industry experience will be considered.

o Track record of supporting a growth agenda is critical.

o Experience at operating in a fast-growing business which is transformational for the industry.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

· Driving Results

o Possesses a collaborative and approachable style. A positive cultural leader, champion and motivator.

o Has the presence and ability to energize and motivate the organization while delegating accountability.

o Able to lead in growing and complex businesses.

o Is able to manage competing priorities, work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced business environment.

o Demonstrated excellence in communications.

o Possesses strong interpersonal skills for negotiating, presenting and resolving complex issues

· Business and Strategic Partner.

o Sense of urgency, a strong commercial orientation and a proven ability to partner with operating teams to drive and monitor performance and to develop strategic and tactical plans.

o Combine determination with sensitivity and careful analysis to influence colleagues with fact-based approaches and ideas to ensure optimal performance and results.

o Commitment to individual and/or team accountability for results. Ideal candidates will be capable of challenging senior management as well as colleagues in the business in a constructive, balanced way, offering solutions and fresh thinking.

· Leadership

o Strong business judgment, executive-level stature and a passion for increasing the value of this growing enterprise and strengthening processes across the company.

o Passion, persistence and commitment to the role and the company.

o Strong advisory style.

o Exceptional manager and motivator of people and teams who can retain and develop high potential people. Recognized for attracting great talent and building a strong bench.

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

o Personal drive and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment with high expectations for responsiveness.

o Leader with unquestioned personal and business integrity whose record will reflect favorably on the company and whose professional stature will command respect and credibility

o Collaborative team player and partner, with superior interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to diverse internal and external audiences/constituencies.

o Leader who values and promotes a culture of accountability.