Plant Controller

Plant Controller - Manufacturing Finance Leader | Greensboro, NC

Join a leading flexible polyurethane foam manufacturer as Plant Controller at our high-performing Greensboro, NC facility. This strategic plant finance leadership role offers the opportunity to manage all financial operations for a 200-employee manufacturing plant serving the automotive, furniture, bedding, industrial, and technical markets. As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, you'll partner with operations to drive profitability, cost control, and continuous improvement in a stable, collaborative manufacturing environment.

About the Facility

Our Greensboro manufacturing plant specializes in the production and fabrication of flexible polyurethane (PU) foam products, including:

• Automotive Applications: Flexible foam materials for automotive manufacturing
• Furniture & Bedding: Specialty, conventional, and high-resiliency (HR) foams
• Industrial & Technical: Engineered foam products and specialty applications

This non-union facility operates with approximately 200 employees and maintains a reputation for excellence in quality, productivity, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Finance & Cost Accounting:

• Lead all plant financial functions including cost accounting, manufacturing accounting, product costing, and capacity planning
• Analyze operating costs and financial variances across sales volume, direct labor, indirect labor, overhead, depreciation, and manufacturing expenses
• Compare budgeted, standard, and actual costs to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve plant profitability
• Maintain and enhance financial systems and accounting processes
• Develop cost models and provide financial analysis to support commercial decisions and pricing strategies

Financial Reporting & Analysis:

• Manage monthly and annual financial reporting including Flash Forecast, Flash Actual, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, and SRP reporting
• Prepare year-end and mid-year close reports with complete reconciliations
• Complete monthly sales reconciliations, balance sheet reconciliations, and intercompany reconciliations
• Reconcile asset and depreciation accounts
• Analyze plant financial performance and communicate trends, issues, and opportunities to Plant Manager
• Prepare HR statistical and cost reports

Budgeting, Forecasting & Planning:

• Lead the annual plant budgeting process from preparation through approval and monitoring
• Support financial planning and forecasting activities
• Develop pricing scenarios based on volume, shifts, engineering work orders, and operational variables
• Prepare capital appropriation requests for capital expenditures, tooling, and engineering projects
• Review financial information from a commercial perspective to support business decisions

Accounting Operations Management:

• Supervise Senior Plant Accountant and Accounting Specialist, including performance management and employee development
• Manage payroll system and approve payroll for hourly and salaried employees
• Review and approve Accounts Payable vouchers, invoices, check runs, and expense reports
• Monitor banking activity for unusual transactions and discrepancies
• Support Accounts Receivable functions including collections, account clean-up, and write-offs
• Interact directly with customers on financial matters, pricing, purchase orders, and AR issues

Audit, Controls & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with financial controls, policies, and procedures
• Prepare annual audit binder and additional disclosure documentation
• Support external auditors with requests and documentation
• Maintain insurance files and ensure timely completion of required financial reconciliations
• Implement and monitor internal controls to safeguard company assets

Plant Leadership & Operations Partnership:

• Serve as active member of the Site Leadership Team
• Partner with Plant Manager and functional leaders on financial planning, budgeting, cost control, and performance improvement
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Materials, Engineering, and HR on cross-functional financial matters
• Review daily shift notes and prepare JPH (Jobs Per Hour) reports and key performance metrics
• Analyze daily efficiency and inefficiency reports
• Maintain and update plant "Best-in-Class" systems across all functional areas

Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement:

• Support Lean Manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement activities
• Participate in 5S, workplace inspections, Gemba walks, Kaizen events, and Kamishibai audits
• Utilize financial and operational data to identify productivity improvements and cost reduction opportunities
• Drive plant performance through data-driven financial analysis

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required
• CPA or CMA certification is a plus

Experience:

• 5-8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience in a manufacturing environment
• Previous experience as Plant Controller, Manufacturing Controller, Plant Finance Manager, or similar plant-level finance leadership role strongly preferred
• Proven track record working directly in a manufacturing plant environment with Operations and Plant Leadership teams
• Experience supervising accounting staff and leading finance teams

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• Manufacturing accounting and cost accounting systems
• Standard cost accounting methodologies
• General accounting principles and GAAP
• Financial analysis and variance analysis
• Budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
• Financial reporting and month-end/year-end close processes
• Internal controls and audit procedures
• Manufacturing cost structures and cost drivers
• Labor analysis, overhead allocation, and headcount cost management
• Capital expenditure analysis and appropriation processes
• ERP systems and advanced Excel skills

Core Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal
• Leadership and team development capabilities
• Business partnership and relationship-building skills
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Hands-on, collaborative approach to finance leadership

About Greensboro, NC

Greensboro is a thriving city in the heart of North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region, offering an exceptional quality of life with affordable housing, excellent schools, and abundant recreational opportunities. Known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and family-friendly atmosphere, Greensboro provides easy access to both the Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic beaches. The city boasts a diverse economy, strong healthcare systems, renowned universities, and a welcoming community. With a moderate climate, low cost of living, and proximity to major metropolitan areas like Charlotte and Raleigh, Greensboro offers the perfect balance of small-town charm and big-city amenities.

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

This position offers a unique opportunity to join the company's most profitable and stable manufacturing facility out of over 60 plants globally. You'll work in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment where flexibility, innovation, and continuous improvement are valued and rewarded. The plant maintains exceptional productivity levels, strong customer relationships, and favorable profit margins-creating a stable, rewarding workplace for finance professionals.

As Plant Controller, you'll have significant autonomy and visibility, serving as a trusted business partner to plant leadership while making a direct impact on operational and financial performance. This role offers excellent work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and the chance to be part of a winning team in a company committed to excellence.

If you're an experienced manufacturing finance professional looking for a strategic leadership role where your contributions truly matter, this is an outstanding opportunity to advance your career with an industry-leading organization.

Apply Today

Are you a results-driven Plant Controller or Manufacturing Finance professional ready to take the next step in your career? We invite qualified candidates to apply for this exceptional opportunity. Local Greensboro-area candidates are strongly preferred. Join our team and become part of a collaborative, high-performing organization where your financial leadership and manufacturing expertise will drive success. Apply now to be considered for this outstanding Plant Controller position.