Plant Controller

SAP experience preferred.

Plant Controller

Location: Jersey City

We are seeking an experienced Plant Controller to manage costs related to materials, supplies, machinery, and shipping within the plant. The successful candidate will report directly to the CFO and contribute to the end-of-month and end-of-year accounting processes. This role is based in our Jersey City, NJ corporate office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Approve purchase orders (POs) and non-PO invoices.
• Implement cost control policies and procedures, ensuring thorough vetting of all purchase requests (PRs) in partnership with procurement and supply chain teams.
• Plan and oversee cycle counts for raw materials and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) inventories, coordinating with plant management for the annual inventory process.
• Collaborate with auditors to ensure compliance in cost and inventory areas.
• Conduct cost analysis to identify areas of improvement and cost reduction opportunities.
• Ensure accurate standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation.
• Evaluate production costs and provide financial insights to improve efficiency.
• Monitor plant cost and provide weekly feedback to the CFO.
• Ensure the goods receipt/invoice receipt (GR/IR) process is completed accurately and on time.
• Coordinate with external and internal auditors to support audits and inspections.
• Prepare monthly journal entries manually or by initiating transactions through our ERP program.
• Review journal entries carefully for anomalies and other inconsistencies, coordinating with the back-office accounting team in India.
• Train and develop staff on financial processes, reporting standards, and compliance.
• Manage the annual budget process with department heads and consolidate for senior management presentation.
• Act as a liaison between plant operations and corporate finance teams.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly accounting reports for submission to management.
• Conduct inventory reserve analysis on a quarterly basis and generate reports for senior management.
• Classify costs accurately and/or allocate costs across product lines.
• Review standard costs and update them as appropriate.
• Maintain and review the general ledger and reconcile key general ledger accounts.
• Analyze costs of raw materials and other supplies and create cost-benefit analyses.
• Perform other tasks and projects as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or BBA/BS in Finance with accounting courses.
• Pursuit of graduate education in accounting is a plus.
• Advanced proficiency in SAP manufacturing modules (CO, MM, FI) with expertise in cost accounting, inventory valuation, and financial reporting in an SAP-driven environment. Relevant certifications are helpful.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Superior teamwork skills are a plus.
• 10-15 years of experience in general accounting and/or cost accounting.
• Familiarity with the chemical or process flow industry preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing facility required.

Work Schedule:

Standard work hours with flexibility required based on operational needs. This role requires 15-20% travel.

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to cultivating a diverse workforce that reflects the communities they serve.