Plant Controller

PLANT CONTROLLER 

This is a challenging and exciting opportunity to work in a business group and to evaluate current policies and procedures and make recommendations for perceived needed changes. The company requires a person with innovative and creative ideas to increase the impact and efficiency of the group.  High energy levels, superior intellect, and extensive cost comprehension skills will enable the candidate to succeed in this fast paced and demanding environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Drive business goals such as cost reduction initiatives, working capital management, and return on capital employed to ensure that they are adequately measured, managed and achieved
• Provide management with daily, weekly and monthly strategic tools, monitors & reports to drive the business results.
• Drive excess expense and capital out of the business
• Implement best financial and accounting practices in all locations and benchmark external and internal operations
• Manage the strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes of the assigned manufacturing units
• Ensure that the financial reporting processes are in accordance with GAAP and the Companys Financial Procedures, with an emphasis on manufacturing and inventory accounting issues such as product costing and FIFO/LIFO valuation
• Maintain controls throughout the business unit to adequately safeguard the assets of the company and to identify potential risks in a timely manner
• Ensure clean audits
• Timely comprehensive and complete account reconciliations
• Thorough understanding of the reality of the manufacturing operations (walk the floor).
• Keep the score and communicate in all directions.
• Be a business partner to the Plant Manager.  Supply the information that will then help make the correct decisions
• Establish an environment of no surprises!
• Mentor and teacher of finance to the non-financial members of the plant team so the whole business team understands the cost drivers of their operations.
• Consult in a financial advisory capacity with the different constituencies in a matrix environment including Plant Managers, Product General Managers and the Sales organization

PLANT INFORMATION

• Approx. $75million sales
• Headcount: 250 - 2 shift operation
• 211,000 square footage
• Produces: 6700 active skus, Proto, Mac, Blackhawk
• Small socket, large socket, ratchets, wrenches, torque wrenches, universal joints, chisels, punches and extensions

CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICS

The successful candidate for this position must have a minimum of five years of experience in a manufacturing accounting environment and a proven track record of successes in manufacturing/finance assignments.

A B.S. in Finance or Accounting is required with an MBA preferred.

The ideal candidate will lead by example and drive team enthusiasm.  He/she will be someone who has a keen ability and a proven track record of developing talent in their direct and indirect reports to the highest levels. Must be able to assess teams and develop individuals as well as the team as a whole.

In addition, he/she will relate business goals with accounting/finance goals and set and achieve tough stretch goals.  Someone who has a strong sense of urgency, and personal commitment. Someone who is decisive, confident, open and candid.  Must also be multi-faceted and have an ability to concentrate on a number of priorities at once while at the same time identifying those duties which can and should be delegated.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• Strong influence skills and an ability to work effectively in a matrix environment
• Outstanding organizational skills:
• Demonstrated capacity to assess and leverage organization by key competencies
• Ability to attract, recruit and develop world class financial talent
• Develop financial vision and road map

• Strong strategic planning and budgeting expertise
• Demonstrated record of success in finance/accounting fields
• Strong eye for details as well as an ability to anticipate barriers and finesse trouble
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work with diverse product groups:
• Ability to motivate, manage and develop performance of staff
• Ability to lead organizational change with finance staff
• Ability to work across all boundaries
• Articulate, effective communicator who inspires and energizes others

• Absolute personal integrity and credibility
• Passion for excellence in people, process and products
• Risk-taking personality. One who challenges conventional solutions
• Superior command of Manufacturing Accounting