Plant Finance Manager

Plant Finance Manager (Project Management)

About Us:

Trilliant Food & Nutrition is a leading, vertically integrated manufacturer of premium coffees and powdered beverages, proudly headquartered in Little Chute, Wisconsin. With a legacy rooted in quality, innovation, and service, Trilliant delivers branded and private label solutions across retail, food service, and e-commerce channels. Horseshoe Beverage Company, based in Neenah, WI, is a leading ready‑to‑drink beverage manufacturer dedicated to delivering an exceptional beverage experience.

By combining industry‑leading talent, cutting‑edge equipment, and a vertically integrated supply chain, we drive innovation and consistently deliver the highest quality products to our customers.

Position Overview:

The Plant Finance Manager (Plant Controller) serves as the strategic financial leader for a high‑volume, high‑complexity beverage manufacturing facility. This role partners directly with the Plant Manager and site leadership team to drive operational performance, optimize cost structure, strengthen financial controls, and support long‑term strategic planning. The Plant Finance Manager oversees all plant‑level financial activities, including budgeting, forecasting, cost accounting, capital planning, and performance reporting.

• Financial Leadership & Business Partnership
  • Serve as the primary financial advisor to the Plant Manager and leadership team.
  • Translate operational performance into financial insights that drive decision‑making.
  • Lead monthly plant performance reviews, highlighting risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
  • Partner with operations, supply chain, engineering, and quality to improve cost, yield, and throughput.
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Reporting
  • Lead the annual operating plan (AOP), quarterly forecasts, and monthly financial close for the plant.
  • Develop accurate volume, labor, overhead, and cost‑of‑goods‑sold (COGS) projections.
  • Prepare and present financial results, variance analyses, and KPI dashboards.
  • Ensure timely and accurate reporting in accordance with corporate accounting policies.
• Cost Accounting & Operational Finance
  • Own the plant's standard cost model, including BOMs, routings, labor standards, and overhead rates.
  • Analyze production variances (material usage, yield, scrap, labor efficiency, absorption).
  • Monitor and improve key operational metrics such as OEE, line efficiency, and waste.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM) with financial analysis.
• Controls, Compliance & Governance
  • Maintain strong internal controls over inventory, fixed assets, and financial transactions.
  • Ensure compliance with corporate policies, GAAP, and audit requirements.
  • Oversee cycle counts, physical inventories, and reconciliation processes.
  • Implement process improvements to strengthen accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.
• Capital Planning & Investment Analysis
  • Lead financial evaluation of capital projects, including ROI, NPV, and payback analyses.
  • Partner with engineering and operations to track capital spending and project performance.
  • Support long‑term capacity planning and strategic investment decisions.
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Manage and develop a team of plant accountants, analysts, and clerks.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and business partnership.
  • Provide coaching, training, and succession planning for finance talent.

• Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field.
  • 8‑12 years of progressive finance experience, including 5‑7 years in manufacturing or plant finance and 2‑4 years in a supervisory role.
  • Strong knowledge of cost accounting, standard costing, and manufacturing operations.
  • Experience supporting high‑volume CPG or beverage production environments.
  • Advanced proficiency in Excel and ERP systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence cross‑functional leaders and drive operational results.
• Preferred
  • MBA, CPA, CMA, or related certification.
  • Experience in beverage, food & beverage, or high‑speed packaging operations.
  • Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Experience with financial modeling and data visualization…