Plant Controller

Position: Plant Controller

Location: Cleveland, OH | Onsite | Full-Time

Work Schedule: MondayFriday, 8:00 AM5:00 PM

Join a well-established, privately held food manufacturing company known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With ongoing growth and facility expansion, the company is seeking a hands-on financial leader to drive operational excellence and support its ambitious growth trajectory. The Plant Controller is a key piece to this companys success. This is a great opportunity to work within a stable organization with a supportive leadership team.

Please note that you MUST have food and/or dairy manufacturing experience to be considered for this position.

Relocation assistance will be provided if the selected candidate requires relocation assistance.

Position Overview
The Plant Controller will be a critical partner to plant leadership, providing accurate financial reporting, actionable insights, and strategic guidance to improve operational performance. This role oversees all plant finance functions, including budgeting, forecasting, inventory accounting, and month-end close, while collaborating closely with operations to optimize productivity and profitability. The ideal candidate brings dairy manufacturing experience, is a licensed CPA, and thrives in a dynamic, production-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead plant financial reporting, analysis, and performance tracking, ensuring compliance with accounting standards
• Partner with operations to evaluate KPIs, cost structures, variances, and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Manage month-end close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, and review of financial packages
• Oversee inventory accounting, standard costing, yield/loss tracking, and valuation of perishable inventory
• Prepare and present plant financial results to leadership during business reviews
• Support annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting processes
• Ensure robust internal controls and timely resolution of financial issues
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a small team of accounting professionals
• Execute ERP transactions and reporting (SAP preferred)
• Participate in special projects related to plant growth, expansion, and process improvement

Qualifications

• CPA designation required
• 5+ years of progressive finance/accounting experience
• Dairy and/or food manufacturing experience required
• ERP experience required; SAP preferred
• Proven ability to partner with operations to drive financial results
• Leadership experience managing small finance teams
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, expanding manufacturing environment
• No job hoppers, please
• Ability to work onsite full-time in Cleveland, OH
• Full benefits package
• Relocation assistance considered

Why You'll Love This Role

• Opportunity to make a visible impact in a growing facility
• Hands-on position with high responsibility and influence