Plant Controller

Plant ControllerLocation: Durham, NC Area About the RoleA private equity-backed specialty manufacturing organization is seeking a Plant Controller to serve as the key finance leader for a manufacturing facility. This is a highly visible position that partners directly with plant leadership, operations, supply chain, and executive leadership to drive financial performance, operational efficiency, and decision-making.The Plant Controller will own financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, inventory accounting, standard costing, and operational finance while helping build scalable processes following a recent acquisition.This role is ideal for a hands-on manufacturing finance professional who enjoys being embedded in plant operations and influencing business decisions through financial leadership.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Reporting & CloseLead monthly and annual close processesPrepare and review journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and supporting schedulesReview general ledger activity for accuracy and completenessPrepare monthly financial statements, management reporting, and operational reporting packagesSupport external audit and tax activitiesEnsure compliance with GAAP and company accounting policiesBudgeting, Forecasting & AnalysisLead annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processesAnalyze financial performance against budget, forecast, and prior periodsProvide meaningful commentary on gross margin, EBITDA, and other key performance indicatorsSupport working capital analysis and improvement initiativesPartner with sales and operations leadership to support planning and decision-makingInventory & Cost AccountingOwn inventory accounting and financial oversight of inventory balancesManage standard costing processes and annual cost rollsReview purchase price variances and operational cost driversPartner with supply chain and operations to improve inventory accuracy and controlsOversee physical inventory processes and related reconciliationsSupport capital expenditure, fixed asset, and lease accounting activitiesMaintain product costing and burden rate methodologiesOperational Finance LeadershipServe as the primary finance business partner to plant leadershipSupport operational KPIs including labor efficiency, inventory turns, productivity, and working capitalTranslate financial data into actionable business recommendationsDrive cross-functional collaboration across operations, supply chain, and sales teamsHelp establish financial discipline throughout the organizationProcess ImprovementHelp build and improve finance processes within a growing organizationStrengthen reporting, controls, and operational finance workflowsSupport continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facilityQualificationsRequiredBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related fieldPrior manufacturing finance experienceStrong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysisDeep understanding of inventory accounting, standard costing, and operational financeExperience with ERP systems and manufacturing accounting environmentsAdvanced Excel skillsStrong communication and business partnering abilitiesAbility to work effectively with operational and executive leadershipStrongly PreferredPrior Plant Controller experienceExperience maintaining standard cost systemsBOM and product costing experienceExperience supporting manufacturing operations directlyWorking capital and inventory optimization experienceExperience within private equity-backed organizationsPreferred Systems ExperienceERP experience in manufacturing environmentsExperience with financial reporting and business intelligence toolsRole HighlightsNewly created finance leadership positionDirect partnership with plant leadership and executive leadershipSignificant exposure to operations, supply chain, and manufacturing strategyOpportunity to build processes within a growing organizationStrong focus on operational finance and business partnershipHigh visibility with leadership and meaningful business impactLong-term growth opportunity within an acquisition-focused organizationBy submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.Equal Opportunity NoticeHighspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact .Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.Representation NoticeBy submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.Privacy NoticeVaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.Residents of all other states may access our policies here.Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here ( Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.Pay Transparency NoticeDetermining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:· the individual's skill sets, experience and training;· licensure and certification requirements;· office location and other geographic considerations; and· other business and organizational needs.With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).