Plant Controller - Manufacturing

We are recruiting on behalf of a global automotive manufacturing client to identify an experienced Plant Controller for their facility in Northwest Ohio. This is a fully on-site, hands-on finance leadership role requiring close collaboration with plant operations. The facility is commutable from the Toledo area.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide full financial leadership for the manufacturing facility

• Oversee standard costing, product costing, and bill of materials (BOM) analysis

• Analyze and manage labor and overhead absorption

• Lead inventory control, including cycle counts and physical inventory processes

• Conduct detailed manufacturing variance analysis (labor, material, overhead, scrap)

• Support capacity planning and operational financial modeling

• Manage month-end close activities within a plant environment

• Develop and maintain budgets and rolling forecasts aligned to production volumes

• Ensure compliance with audit requirements and SOX/internal controls

• Supervise and develop the on-site accounting team (Sr. Accountant and Accounting Clerk)

• Actively contribute as a member of the Plant Leadership Team

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree Accounting/Finance

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing finance or a Plant Controller role

• Deep expertise in standard cost accounting in a production environment

• Proven experience supporting plant operations, including production, engineering, and supply chain

• Hands-on experience with ERP systems in a manufacturing setting

• Prior leadership or supervisory experience

• Current or recent experience working in a manufacturing plant

Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive industry experience, ideally within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier

• Experience in high-volume, multi-SKU manufacturing environments

• Strong background in capacity modeling and operational KPI analysis

• CPA or advanced degree preferred

About the Role

This role is embedded in plant operations and requires a Controller who understands manufacturing cost drivers, inventory movement, absorption, and operational KPIs—not just financial reporting. You will play a key role in driving operational efficiency, cost control, and overall plant performance.

Additional Details

• Fully on-site position

• Commutable from the Toledo area