Plant Controller jobs in Chicago, IL

This position is responsible for the financial planning, reporting and monitoring of Optimas’ North American manufacturing operation in Wood Dale, Illinois.  The Controller will partner with the Operational and Executive partners to lead the WDmfg operation to achieving financial growth and operational improvements while maintaining and enhancing financial and operational controls and efficiencies.

This role is the chief financial role for the Wood Dale manufacturing operation and is responsible for the timeliness and quality of all financial and operational tracking and reporting to drive efficiencies and success for the Wood Dale manufacturing segment.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Evaluate, develop, propose, and maintain controls needed for financial data integrity, accumulation, and reporting
• Construct and/or maintain data accumulation systems to report inventory valuation and margins by various dimensions (i.e. standard cost, current cost, margins by part, product line, customer, cost/machine center, breakeven analysis, etc.)
• Maintain the accuracy and timeliness of data used in balance sheet inventory valuation and calculating its impact on the cost of goods sold and cash flow in accordance with various standards such as GAAP and internal guidelines
• Work with other business functions to assure that physical inventory, cycle counts and E&O evaluations are performed on a timely basis, and that results are analyzed for root cause issues and communicated in a timely basis to the appropriate management to improve any training, controls or procedures that may be required to improve results
• Support the location managers in their objectives to increase sales, efficiencies and reduce costs
• Calculate and assure that period costs are properly capitalized in accordance to GAAP and internal procedures
• Perform assigned, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual close activities within closing timelines and assist the organization in any other areas that may require assistance in meeting their closing timelines
• Assist in the preparation, tracking, reporting and analysis of annual budgets, budget components, forecasts and related variances
• Manage and develop support staff to achieve professional growth
• Support the organization in various other tasks, as requested

Job Requirements Background and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA/MBA a plus
• Minimum of 5 years of cost accounting experience in a durable goods manufacturing environment; automotive industry a plus
• Excellent communication, collaboration and presentation skills to train, persuade, and lead change at various levels of the organizational structure
• Demonstrated knowledge of general accounting principles and practices
• English fluency in reading, writing, and speaking required
• ERP System knowledge required; Epicor and NetSuite a plus
• Proficient with MS Office 365 - Outlook, Word, and higher level Excel functions (pivot tables, v-look up, graphing, etc.). Experience with SpreadSheet Server a plus

Core Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Initiative, self-administration, and disciplined follow-up
• Sound judgment and effective decision-making ability
• Solid planning, scheduling, monitoring, and information management skills
• Solid collaboration and interpersonal communication skills across all levels of an organization – speaking, persuading, writing, and focused listening
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to learn and grow with and ability to detect, document, and communicate opportunities
• Strong time management skills, punctual, and demonstrates a “whatever it takes" attitude to meet deadlines.
• Effective in fast-paced team environment
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to confidentiality