Financial Controller, Cleveland Wheels

Howmet Aerospace is looking for a Controller to join our Howmet Wheel Systems (HWS) business unit in Cleveland, OH.

Howmet Aerospace (NYSE: HWM) creates breakthrough products that shape industries. Working in close partnership with our customers, we solve complex engineering challenges to transform the way we fly, drive, and power. Through the ingenuity of our people and cutting-edge advanced manufacturing techniques, we deliver these products at a quality and efficiency that ensure customer success and shareholder value. 

Howmet Wheel Systems (HWS) is a business with a rich tradition and a bright future. We literally invented the forged wheel in 1948 and, as a result of​ staying close to our customers and consumers, have remained the global leader in providing safe, strong, lightweight and innovative aluminum transportation products ever since. ​ HWS serves the commercial vehicle market and employs nearly 2,000 people at 14 locations worldwide.

Job Description: 

The Controller is responsible for coordinating and providing a broad range of financial and operational analysis activities for the Cleveland manufacturing location of the HWS business unit. This position will report to the Regional Controller, The Americas and be based in Cleveland, OH.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The Controller will analyze financial data, identify and report progress toward plan commitments, financial performance achievements and trends, and identify opportunities to influence financial performance.

Major Activities and Key Challenges Include:

• Provide oversight and accountability for key finance-owned performance tracking processes, including the CIP Initiatives Savings Tracker and monthly Cost Per Wheel (CPW) reporting and analysis. Ensure capital initiatives are appropriately captured, projected and actual savings are reviewed and validated by Finance, and CPW performance is accurately reported and tracked against forecast and operating targets.

• Partner with plant management to ensure weekly cost reviews are conducted with cost owners across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and EHS - providing oversight to track spending against targets, identify savings opportunities, and support business priorities.

• Prepare bottoms-up monthly forecast with input from Manufacturing, Global Supply Chain and Commercial. Present the forecast to Regional & Segment management teams with relevant variance analysis and risk/opportunities.

• Facilitate the monthly closing process for the Cleveland Wheels manufacturing location, ensuring journal entries are prepared and approved accurately and closing is done timely 

• Lead the development of the annual operating plan, including revenue, production, profitability, expense, working capital, inventory management, cost standards, and capital investment forecasts. Establish appropriate financial controls, reporting, and review processes to monitor performance against the plan and drive corrective actions.

• Collaborate with functional leaders to deliver targets set forth by Management such as labor efficiency, scrap & indirect spend. Compare actual performance with operating plan and monthly forecast while providing necessary reports and interpretation of the results to all levels of Plant & Segment Management.

• Lead and develop a team of financial professionals by establishing clear goals, responsibilities, and performance expectations. Continue monitoring performance and accountability, while providing ongoing coaching and support.

• Participate in weekly P&L meetings with focus on articulating week-over-week changes and minimizing variances at closing.

• Coordinate compliance activities across all scopes and disciplines, ensuring ASATs are completed comprehensively and timely and identified gaps are documented and remediated. Serve as the primary liaison for both Internal Audit and PwC requests.

• Oversee and coordinate multiple full physical inventories annually in accordance with internal audit requirements and ensure the annual fixed asset physical inventory is completed accurately and timely.

• Perform ad hoc analyses as requested by the Regional Controller, The Americas & other leadership.

• Ensure integrity of all account reconciliations (both local and centralized) and miscellaneous inventory adjustments.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Accounting from an accredited institution

• Minimum of 8 years financial analysis experience, preferably as an Assistant Controller or Plant Controller

• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States.  Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.  Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possess or currently working towards obtaining CPA and/or MBA
• Strong understanding of GAAP and auditing principles and practices

• Experience with data querying tools, Oracle, and Hyperion

• Robust background in cost accounting and/or financial analysis within a manufacturing environment

• Strong interpersonal, communication and analytical skills, with a self-motivated, team-oriented perspective

• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Ability to learn quickly, work on multiple concurrent assignments and complete assignments in a timely and organized approach