Plant Controller

OVERVIEW:

SunCoke Energy is seeking an experienced plant controller at our Indiana Harbor Coke facility in East Chicago, IN to lead the plant accounting, compliance, controls, planning and reporting functions. Plant controller will manage all aspects of monthly close and reporting; prepare the annual zero-based budget and update the monthly forecast with support from plant operations and corporate FP&A. The role also includes leadership of the plant cost accountant.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Accounting Operations & Financial Close

• Lead the full monthly close cycle - general ledger, cost accounting, sales, production, inventory, coal purchasing, capital spend, invoice review, journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting packages, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Analyze and explain variances versus budget, forecast, and prior year; communicate key drivers and implications
• Coordinate timely month-end, quarter-end, and year-end reporting deliverables and submissions to corporate FP&A and Financial Reporting
• Collaborate with third-party inventory terminals to obtain accurate sales and inventory records
• Review and approve work outputs to ensure quality, timeliness, and adherence to policies and procedures

Controls, Compliance & Audit

• Ensure transactions are recorded in accordance with GAAP and company accounting policies (including revenue recognition and inventory valuation impacts)
• Coordinate activities with internal and external auditors; ensure compliance with internal controls and external regulations, including SOX
• Review quarterly inventory surveys, both coal and manufactured goods, and ensure results are recorded in accordance with GAAP and company policies
• Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety and/or environmental permits, regulations, and reporting requirements; notify appropriate plant personnel of deviations and maintain required records

Budgeting, Forecasting & Capital

• Partner with plant leadership, corporate leadership and corporate FP&A to develop and execute financial plans, including the annual budget and monthly forecasts
• Manage capital budgeting, track capital spend, and support capital project approvals, evaluations, and justifications
• Assess lease versus buy analysis and summarize and report results

Business Partnerships, Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Interface with operating departments on accounting needs and provide analytical support to evaluate performance and operating decisions
• Participate in operating meetings and plant walk-arounds; provide financial support to safety and communications initiatives
• Complete ERP (Oracle) testing for routine quarterly patches and enhancement requests
• Identify and drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, controls, and productivity
• Travel to corporate offices or other plant locations as needed for meetings and training (minimal)

Leadership

• Supervise and develop the Accounting Department through training, coaching and mentorship
• Set goals for direct reports aligned with plant and corporate objectives
• Work effectively with team

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Financial analysis and variance reporting; ability to translate complex topics into clear, actionable insights
• Strong understanding of manual and automated accounting systems; advanced computer/software skills (including ERP)
• Strong analytical, reasoning, and numerical skills; high attention to detail and accuracy
• Effective written and verbal communication; able to succinctly communicate business correspondence and procedures confidently to senior leaders and cross-functional groups
• Well organized; able to manage multiple priorities and projects alongside routine responsibilities
• Collaborative, participative leadership style; strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse personalities
• Sound judgment and decisiveness; able to establish credibility and align work to organizational priorities

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS / WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting
• 8+ years of progressive experience in Accounting
• 4+ years of experience in Financial Planning & Analysis
• 3+ years of experience managing people
• Expertise in Excel and basic modeling required
• Manufacturing experience highly desirable with fundamental understanding of cost accounting concepts
• Experience in business intelligence applications highly desirable
• Experience in Oracle Cloud ERP and IBM Planning Analytics a plus
• CPA certification highly desirable
• Audit experience highly desirable

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities of, and the duties to be performed by, the employee occupying this position.