Plant Controller

Job Title: Plant Controller
Location: Wilbraham, MA (On-site, 5 days/week)
Job Type: Full-time

About the Role
We are seeking a hands-on, operationally focused Plant Controller to serve as the primary financial and strategic business partner to our facility leadership team and General Manager. Supporting an established manufacturing plant of approximately 300 employees, this position goes beyond traditional accounting—you will be on the plant floor, connecting day-to-day operations to financial performance, uncovering cost-saving opportunities, and enhancing overall profitability.
This role includes direct supervision and development of an on-site Senior Accountant, with access to extensive peer mentorship across a broader network of experienced manufacturing controllers.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Finance & P&L Partnership: Serve as the core finance partner to the General Manager and plant leadership; translate complex operational drivers (labor modeling, scrap/shrink, bill of materials, SKU profitability) into clear P&L commentary and actionable recommendations.
• Month-End Close Oversight: Lead and coordinate the facility's month-end close process, review financials for accuracy, investigate variances or unusual activity, and oversee general ledger reconciliations.
• Cost Control & Continuous Improvement: Partner with operations on manufacturing plans, bid reviews, and cost-reduction initiatives; model and track site-level savings and operational efficiencies.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Prepare annual plant budgets, rolling forecasts, and routine performance packages, explaining variances against targets to executive leadership.
• Internal Controls & Compliance: Ensure compliance with GAAP, company accounting policies, and regulatory reporting standards; maintain accuracy across inventory transactions, fixed assets, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and develop the site's Senior Accountant.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Experience: 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, with substantial exposure to a manufacturing environment (food/beverage/Client manufacturing strongly preferred).
• Technical Skills: Strong working knowledge of US GAAP, internal controls, and ERP systems; advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (financial modeling, pivot tables, complex formulas).
• Operational Acumen: Proven ability to understand standard costing, bill of materials (BOM), inventory/shrink management, purchase price variance (PPV), and production variances.
• Leadership & Communication: Prior supervisory or team leadership experience preferred; ability to communicate financial insights effectively to non-finance operational leaders.
• Licenses/Certifications: CPA or CMA is preferred, but not required.

Work Logistics & Benefits

• Schedule: On-site, Monday through Friday.
• Travel: Light travel (approximately twice per year) for corporate leadership meetings.