Plant Controller

Position Summary

A growing manufacturing company is seeking a Plant Controller to own plant-level financials and support a lean finance team during a period of continued growth. This role will be hands-on and execution-focused, responsible for the month-end close, balance sheet integrity, variance analysis, and audit preparation across two manufacturing locations.

This is an excellent opportunity for a manufacturing finance professional who is hungry, proactive, and looking to punch above their weight class
, with room to grow as the business scales.

• Own the full plant-level month-end close process, including journal entries, bank reconciliations, and balance sheet account reconciliations.
• Prepare and analyze monthly P&L results, with a strong focus on explaining operational and production variances.
• Ensure financial statements are accurate and prepared in accordance with GAAP.
• Support preparation of board and leadership reporting materials for the CFO.

• Own financials for both manufacturing plants (Michigan and Nevada), with a deep understanding of inventory movements and production drivers.
• Analyze and explain standard cost and absorption variances (under/over absorption) to leadership.
• Partner with operations to understand production, yields, and cost drivers.
• Support costing processes in collaboration with FP&A (standard costs, updates, and analysis).

• Support cash management, including cash forecasting and 13-week cash flow modeling.
• Own balance sheet items such as fixed assets, prepaids, accruals, and inventory.
• Monitor working capital trends and support improvement initiatives.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for external auditors in a preparation and coordination capacity.
• Maintain strong internal controls and support audit readiness.
• Assist with tax filings and regulatory reporting as needed.
• Support documentation and process improvements related to accounting controls.

• Partner with the Controller and CFO on improving accounting systems, processes, and controls.
• Execute on automation and process improvements to reduce the close timeline.
• Collaborate closely with FP&A, operations, and leadership to ensure financial alignment.
• Provide guidance or oversight to junior accounting staff as appropriate.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field highly preferred
• 5–15 years of progressive accounting experience
  , with manufacturing experience required.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and absorption concepts.
• Experience owning or supporting plant-level month-end close and variance analysis.
• Prior experience supporting external audits.
• ERP experience required (Business Central, Net Suite, SAP, or similar).
• Advanced Excel skills.

• Manufacturing-focused finance professional who understands how the plant actually runs.
• Comfortable owning execution and digging into the details.
• Proactive, curious, and eager to grow into expanded responsibility.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, on-site environment with a lean team.
• Not looking for a “title-only” role — wants impact and growth.

At Next Play Jobs, we believe great recruiting is personal, not transactional. We connect high-performing talent with companies where they can make the biggest impact — and grow along the way.