Job Openings
Plant Controller (Manufacturing Finance Leader)
About the job Plant Controller (Manufacturing Finance Leader)
Plant Controller (Manufacturing Finance Leader)
Location: Onsite – Marshalltown, Iowa
Employment Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time
Compensation: $80,000 – $100,000 base salary + bonus
Openings: 1
Opportunity Overview
HireNow Staffing is partnering with a well-established manufacturing organization in Marshalltown, Iowa to hire a high-performing Plant Controller to oversee plant-level financial operations and serve as a strategic partner to site leadership.
This is a critical role for a finance professional who understands the realities of plant operations—cost drivers, inventory flow, production efficiency, and margin performance. The Plant Controller will play a central role in strengthening financial discipline while helping identify meaningful cost-saving and operational improvement opportunities.
The position reports directly to the CFO and manages two direct reports.
What You'll Own
The Plant Controller will lead core accounting and financial management activities for the facility, ensuring accurate reporting, strong controls, and actionable financial insights that support operational decision-making.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a hands-on manufacturing environment and can balance accounting rigor with business partnership.
Key Responsibilities
Qualified candidates must demonstrate the ability to:
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Lead, mentor, and manage plant finance staff, ensuring strong accountability and performance
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Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, including journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations
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Maintain the general ledger in accordance with GAAP/IFRS and internal corporate policies
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Lead cost accounting efforts, including standard costing, variance analysis, and production cost reporting
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Investigate and resolve inventory, cost, and accounting discrepancies with operational teams
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Develop and enforce strong internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance
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Serve as the primary liaison for external auditors and support audit readiness and execution
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Partner with plant leadership to develop annual budgets, forecasts, and operational financial plans
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Perform detailed analysis of labor efficiency, scrap, throughput, CAPEX, and profitability drivers
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Support capital planning, ROI modeling, and strategic investment decisions
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Identify, quantify, and track cost-reduction initiatives in collaboration with operations
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Evaluate financial impact of new products, automation initiatives, and process improvements
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Assist with tax-related compliance, including sales/use, property, and corporate filings
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Drive continuous improvement across finance processes and plant performance metrics
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Take on additional responsibilities as business needs evolve
Required Qualifications (Non-Negotiable)
Candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered:
Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field
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Minimum 3+ years of progressive finance or accounting experience
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Exposure to manufacturing finance, including at least 2+ years involving cost accounting
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Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting practices
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Experience working with ERP systems and supporting audit processes
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Advanced Excel capability and comfort building financial models and variance reports
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Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to translate data into operational insights
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Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with plant leadership
Preferred Qualifications (Standout Differentiators)
Top candidates will bring:
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CPA, CMA, or MBA credentials
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Prior plant controller or senior manufacturing finance leadership experience
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Background in standard costing environments with complex inventory workflows
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2+ years of people leadership or supervisory experience
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Proven track record identifying and executing cost-saving initiatives
Why This Role Stands Out
This opportunity offers:
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Direct partnership with executive leadership and plant operations
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A highly visible role influencing cost structure, profitability, and plant performance
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Competitive base salary plus bonus upside
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Long-term growth potential within a stable manufacturing organization