Job Title: Plant Controller
Requisition Number: FONTANA-3091
Interest Category: Accounting / Finance
Hourly/Salary: Salary
City: Fontana
State: California
Country: United States
Shift: Days
Job Description:
Apply your financial and operational leadership skills to think of new and improved methods to improve efficiency at both the financial and plant level. As the Plant Controller you will be responsible for ensuring timely and accurate reporting of plant financial information, maintaining proper accounting controls to prevent loss and ensure compliance with GAAP, identifying opportunities to reduce costs/waste, and supporting the Plant Manager in efforts to improve the bottom line, customer service, and morale.
Position Description
Position Title Plant Controller – Fontana, CA
Department Accounting/Finance FLSA Status Exempt
Review Date 10/17/2013 Band Level
Position Summary
The Plant Controller, Fontana, CA reports directly to the Finance Director US South, who in turn, reports directly to the CFO. The Plant Controller is responsible for four direct reports, a Cost Accountant, an R&D analyst, a plant buyer, and production control administrator. The Plant Controller is responsible for providing comprehensive financial leadership to the plant and R&D facility. The Plant Controller functions as the leading accounting professional in the plant and is responsible for the accurate reporting of results and maintenance of the company’s assets, through balance sheet integrity and providing a control environment. The plant controller also serves as an operational manager who serves as the second in command at the plant with the Plant Manager to focus largely on providing financial and operational leadership and improvements, including identifying and driving cost reductions. In addition, the Fontana plant controller will partner with the Director of R&D to support the financial needs of the R&D organization.
In addition, the Fontana manufacturing facility is 23 years old, but has been idle since 2008. It is currently in the process of a capital intensive refurbishment which include in the installation of a new manufacturing line. The plant will start production in January 2014, so this is a role in the start-up of a manufacturing plant.
Position Responsibilities
Accountable for ensuring balance sheet integrity, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, and fostering a strong control environment in the plant by: (40%)
- Managing a complete and thorough month end close process
- Ensuring full compliance and improvement to site Sarbanes-Oxley requirements
- Being a strong example of integrity and ‘Doing the Right Thing’
- Noting and appropriately mitigating business risks
- Proactively seeking and improving any deficiencies
Functions as a business partner with the Plant Manager to effectively manage and control all facets of the plant’s efficiency and productivity by: (30%)
- Framing financial and operational issues in a complete business case format and positively contributing to the strategic direction in the plant;
- Driving negotiations with key vendors either directly or via partnering with procurement;
- Leading and/or participating in presentations to plant employees, plant management,
- Managing multiple manufacturing production lines;
- Accepting responsibility for plant accounting operations as well as financial and operations management; and
- Adhering to sound internal control processes.
Manages others by providing ongoing development, mentoring, and strong learning experiences by: (15%)
- Overseeing a team of four to six employees;
- Providing effective leadership to staff, direct reports, and others in the Company to improve their performance and directing their career development;
- Developing and training Cost Accountants for progression into tier 2 or 3 Plant Controllers;
- Training and developing line staff to ensure that their work is progressing as desired in the areas of proper collection, calculation, and reporting of cost, production, inventory, and other financial information; and
- Managing plant performance on improvement goals and KPI’s;
Provides operational financial reporting, financial analysis and manufacturing cost analysis by: (10%)
- Driving operational improvements, including development, implementation, and maintenance;
- Preparing, coordinating, and processing financial forecasting and planning requirements;
- Monitoring financial performance to identify and drive cost reductions;
- Serving as project manager on cost reduction initiatives, working cross functionally with engineers, procurement, and plant operators to drive cost reductions;
- Preparing and managing actual, forecast, and budget scenarios throughout the course of the year;
- Analyzing and interpreting plant operation results, evaluating variances, and assessing the effects on the plant’s operations;
- Performing month-end closing, reporting, and plant financial statement analyses;
- Providing daily, weekly and monthly reports for plant and corporate management;
- Providing management with the strategic tools and reports to drive business results;
- Performing lease/purchase analysis using Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and payback measurements.
- Coordinating with the engineering group on capital purchase analysis (NPV, IRR, payback);
- Delegating day-to-day accounting activities to the Cost Analyst and other accounting staff as appropriate; and
- Performing standard cost accounting, inventory management, and labor reporting, and timekeeping duties.
Acts as a financial consultant to mid-level and senior operational finance line staff such as Bench Controllers, G/L accountants, Cost Accountants, and Cost Analysts by: (5%)
- Performing business analytics, identifying plant risks/opportunities, and helping the line staff understand their overall financial results and underlying profitability within their scope of the plant’s financial results;
- Partnering closely as necessary with the appropriate Finance Director/General Manager in helping focus line staff on key potential efficiency improvement opportunities;
- Providing the line staff with financial and analytical expertise needed to maximize revenue growth and plant profitability through balance sheet administration, expense control, and timely recognition of income; and
- Performing a liaison role between the line staff and Finance to communicate plant issues, which may necessitate balancing conflicting desires of the plant with that of the corporate offices due to constrained resources (i.e. marketing/capital resources and financial control).
The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.
Quantitative Dimensions
The Fontana site is a brownfield restart, with start-up planned for January 2014. Fontana is also home of to James Hardie’s largest world class fiber cement R&D facility. The Plant Controller is responsible for the finance and accounting function for the entire site This position is a high-profile Controller position and is viewed as a development position for the Director of Finance or Division Controller positions.
Decision Making:
Exceptional and highly advanced decision making abilities are required to be successful in this leadership role. As an operational partner and second in command, the Plant Controller is required to make key decisions that will have both immediate and long-term impact on plant profitability and overall plant health.
Supervisory/Lead
Responsibilities:
The Plant Controller has excellent leadership qualities along with the ability to guide and direct and develop direct reports effectively and fairly to comply with Company mission and values, as well as lead key operational managers and supervisors within the plant.
Scope of Position:
Overall responsibility is to provide financial and operational leadership to the plant. The Plant Controller is required to think of new and improved methods to improve efficiency for the plant at both the financial and plant level. Expectations are for this person to use his/her experience/background to ensure the timely and accurate reporting of plant financial information, to maintain proper accounting controls to prevent loss and ensure compliance with GAAP, to identify opportunities to reduce costs/waste, and to support the Plant Manager in efforts to improve the bottom line, customer service, and morale.
Position Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Required:
- Demonstrated knowledge of Financial Analysis processes and procedures within a manufacturing environment.
- Exceptional knowledge of GAAP and Sarbanes Oxley.
- Demonstrated knowledge of operational accounting (cost accounting, including project costing.)
- Demonstrated ability to successfully apply forecasting techniques and skills to develop and evaluate business goals and strategies, analyze information to derive insights and implications to initiate planning and/or re-planning, and controlling actual results versus budget.
- Extensive “shop floor” experience in a manufacturing environment (not just assembly).
- Results-oriented to ensure delivery of appropriate products and services in an accurate, complete, and timely fashion.
- Business acumen to elicit trust and credibility with all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated experience and ability in compiling annual operating plans and budgets.
- Extensive experience with fixed asset and capital project tracking.
- Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments while meeting deadlines and demanding quality execution.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively take action to solve problems while exhibiting sound judgment and successful stress tolerance.
- Proven track record directing external resources to manage and execute effectively.
- Demonstrated advanced skills with the standard features of various personal computer word processing and spreadsheet software (Microsoft Word and Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, pivot tables & V Lookups, and other financially-related and proprietary software).
- Teamwork/Collaboration expertise with significant experience in team/project-oriented activities.
- Superior interpersonal and written/oral communication skills with the ability to relate well and cooperate with others to effectively coordinate activities and accomplish goals.
- Ability to communicate cost and financial information to all levels across the business.
- Ability to travel 10%.
- Willingness to relocate is an important job consideration.
Education/Experience:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field (CPA/ MBA preferred).
- 8 or more years of cost accounting/operations experience.
- 5 or more years of leadership/management experience.
- ERP systems software (SAP preferred).
Competencies:
- Strategic Decision Making: Obtaining information and identifying key issues and relationships relevant to long-range goal or vision; committing to a course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values.
- Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
- Negotiation: Effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.
- Management of Results: Achieving outstanding results through the effective use of
capital, processes, and human capabilities.
- Planning and Organizing: Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
- Formal Presentation: Presenting ideas effectively (including nonverbal communication and use of visual aids) to individuals or groups when given time to prepare; delivering presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience.
- Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
- Aligning Performance for Success: Focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives.
- Management of Data and Decisions: Gathering and using complex data in order to solve problems and make sound decisions.
- Gaining Commitment: Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals involved.
- Continuous Learning: Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application.
- Stress Tolerance: Maintaining stable performance under pressure or opposition (such as time pressure, or job ambiguity); handling stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and to the organization.
BENEFITS::
- Free medical, dental and vision insurance for employees starting the 1st day of employment
- Minimal cost for family insurance coverage
- 401k program – 6% dollar for dollar match
- Life Insurance
- Disability income protection
- Flexible spending account
- Excellent job training
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Fun and relaxed atmosphere in a quick moving but casual office environment
JHMON
Requisition Number: FONTANA-3091
Interest Category: Accounting / Finance
Hourly/Salary: Salary
City: Fontana
State: California
Country: United States
Shift: Days
Job Description:
Apply your financial and operational leadership skills to think of new and improved methods to improve efficiency at both the financial and plant level. As the Plant Controller you will be responsible for ensuring timely and accurate reporting of plant financial information, maintaining proper accounting controls to prevent loss and ensure compliance with GAAP, identifying opportunities to reduce costs/waste, and supporting the Plant Manager in efforts to improve the bottom line, customer service, and morale.
Position Description
Position Title Plant Controller – Fontana, CA
Department Accounting/Finance FLSA Status Exempt
Review Date 10/17/2013 Band Level
Position Summary
The Plant Controller, Fontana, CA reports directly to the Finance Director US South, who in turn, reports directly to the CFO. The Plant Controller is responsible for four direct reports, a Cost Accountant, an R&D analyst, a plant buyer, and production control administrator. The Plant Controller is responsible for providing comprehensive financial leadership to the plant and R&D facility. The Plant Controller functions as the leading accounting professional in the plant and is responsible for the accurate reporting of results and maintenance of the company’s assets, through balance sheet integrity and providing a control environment. The plant controller also serves as an operational manager who serves as the second in command at the plant with the Plant Manager to focus largely on providing financial and operational leadership and improvements, including identifying and driving cost reductions. In addition, the Fontana plant controller will partner with the Director of R&D to support the financial needs of the R&D organization.
In addition, the Fontana manufacturing facility is 23 years old, but has been idle since 2008. It is currently in the process of a capital intensive refurbishment which include in the installation of a new manufacturing line. The plant will start production in January 2014, so this is a role in the start-up of a manufacturing plant.
Position Responsibilities
Accountable for ensuring balance sheet integrity, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, and fostering a strong control environment in the plant by: (40%)
- Managing a complete and thorough month end close process
- Ensuring full compliance and improvement to site Sarbanes-Oxley requirements
- Being a strong example of integrity and ‘Doing the Right Thing’
- Noting and appropriately mitigating business risks
- Proactively seeking and improving any deficiencies
Functions as a business partner with the Plant Manager to effectively manage and control all facets of the plant’s efficiency and productivity by: (30%)
- Framing financial and operational issues in a complete business case format and positively contributing to the strategic direction in the plant;
- Driving negotiations with key vendors either directly or via partnering with procurement;
- Leading and/or participating in presentations to plant employees, plant management,
- Managing multiple manufacturing production lines;
- Accepting responsibility for plant accounting operations as well as financial and operations management; and
- Adhering to sound internal control processes.
Manages others by providing ongoing development, mentoring, and strong learning experiences by: (15%)
- Overseeing a team of four to six employees;
- Providing effective leadership to staff, direct reports, and others in the Company to improve their performance and directing their career development;
- Developing and training Cost Accountants for progression into tier 2 or 3 Plant Controllers;
- Training and developing line staff to ensure that their work is progressing as desired in the areas of proper collection, calculation, and reporting of cost, production, inventory, and other financial information; and
- Managing plant performance on improvement goals and KPI’s;
Provides operational financial reporting, financial analysis and manufacturing cost analysis by: (10%)
- Driving operational improvements, including development, implementation, and maintenance;
- Preparing, coordinating, and processing financial forecasting and planning requirements;
- Monitoring financial performance to identify and drive cost reductions;
- Serving as project manager on cost reduction initiatives, working cross functionally with engineers, procurement, and plant operators to drive cost reductions;
- Preparing and managing actual, forecast, and budget scenarios throughout the course of the year;
- Analyzing and interpreting plant operation results, evaluating variances, and assessing the effects on the plant’s operations;
- Performing month-end closing, reporting, and plant financial statement analyses;
- Providing daily, weekly and monthly reports for plant and corporate management;
- Providing management with the strategic tools and reports to drive business results;
- Performing lease/purchase analysis using Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and payback measurements.
- Coordinating with the engineering group on capital purchase analysis (NPV, IRR, payback);
- Delegating day-to-day accounting activities to the Cost Analyst and other accounting staff as appropriate; and
- Performing standard cost accounting, inventory management, and labor reporting, and timekeeping duties.
Acts as a financial consultant to mid-level and senior operational finance line staff such as Bench Controllers, G/L accountants, Cost Accountants, and Cost Analysts by: (5%)
- Performing business analytics, identifying plant risks/opportunities, and helping the line staff understand their overall financial results and underlying profitability within their scope of the plant’s financial results;
- Partnering closely as necessary with the appropriate Finance Director/General Manager in helping focus line staff on key potential efficiency improvement opportunities;
- Providing the line staff with financial and analytical expertise needed to maximize revenue growth and plant profitability through balance sheet administration, expense control, and timely recognition of income; and
- Performing a liaison role between the line staff and Finance to communicate plant issues, which may necessitate balancing conflicting desires of the plant with that of the corporate offices due to constrained resources (i.e. marketing/capital resources and financial control).
The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.
Quantitative Dimensions
The Fontana site is a brownfield restart, with start-up planned for January 2014. Fontana is also home of to James Hardie’s largest world class fiber cement R&D facility. The Plant Controller is responsible for the finance and accounting function for the entire site This position is a high-profile Controller position and is viewed as a development position for the Director of Finance or Division Controller positions.
Decision Making:
Exceptional and highly advanced decision making abilities are required to be successful in this leadership role. As an operational partner and second in command, the Plant Controller is required to make key decisions that will have both immediate and long-term impact on plant profitability and overall plant health.
Supervisory/Lead
Responsibilities:
The Plant Controller has excellent leadership qualities along with the ability to guide and direct and develop direct reports effectively and fairly to comply with Company mission and values, as well as lead key operational managers and supervisors within the plant.
Scope of Position:
Overall responsibility is to provide financial and operational leadership to the plant. The Plant Controller is required to think of new and improved methods to improve efficiency for the plant at both the financial and plant level. Expectations are for this person to use his/her experience/background to ensure the timely and accurate reporting of plant financial information, to maintain proper accounting controls to prevent loss and ensure compliance with GAAP, to identify opportunities to reduce costs/waste, and to support the Plant Manager in efforts to improve the bottom line, customer service, and morale.
Position Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Required:
- Demonstrated knowledge of Financial Analysis processes and procedures within a manufacturing environment.
- Exceptional knowledge of GAAP and Sarbanes Oxley.
- Demonstrated knowledge of operational accounting (cost accounting, including project costing.)
- Demonstrated ability to successfully apply forecasting techniques and skills to develop and evaluate business goals and strategies, analyze information to derive insights and implications to initiate planning and/or re-planning, and controlling actual results versus budget.
- Extensive “shop floor” experience in a manufacturing environment (not just assembly).
- Results-oriented to ensure delivery of appropriate products and services in an accurate, complete, and timely fashion.
- Business acumen to elicit trust and credibility with all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated experience and ability in compiling annual operating plans and budgets.
- Extensive experience with fixed asset and capital project tracking.
- Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments while meeting deadlines and demanding quality execution.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively take action to solve problems while exhibiting sound judgment and successful stress tolerance.
- Proven track record directing external resources to manage and execute effectively.
- Demonstrated advanced skills with the standard features of various personal computer word processing and spreadsheet software (Microsoft Word and Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, pivot tables & V Lookups, and other financially-related and proprietary software).
- Teamwork/Collaboration expertise with significant experience in team/project-oriented activities.
- Superior interpersonal and written/oral communication skills with the ability to relate well and cooperate with others to effectively coordinate activities and accomplish goals.
- Ability to communicate cost and financial information to all levels across the business.
- Ability to travel 10%.
- Willingness to relocate is an important job consideration.
Education/Experience:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field (CPA/ MBA preferred).
- 8 or more years of cost accounting/operations experience.
- 5 or more years of leadership/management experience.
- ERP systems software (SAP preferred).
Competencies:
- Strategic Decision Making: Obtaining information and identifying key issues and relationships relevant to long-range goal or vision; committing to a course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values.
- Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
- Negotiation: Effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.
- Management of Results: Achieving outstanding results through the effective use of
capital, processes, and human capabilities.
- Planning and Organizing: Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
- Formal Presentation: Presenting ideas effectively (including nonverbal communication and use of visual aids) to individuals or groups when given time to prepare; delivering presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience.
- Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
- Aligning Performance for Success: Focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives.
- Management of Data and Decisions: Gathering and using complex data in order to solve problems and make sound decisions.
- Gaining Commitment: Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals involved.
- Continuous Learning: Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application.
- Stress Tolerance: Maintaining stable performance under pressure or opposition (such as time pressure, or job ambiguity); handling stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and to the organization.
BENEFITS::
- Free medical, dental and vision insurance for employees starting the 1st day of employment
- Minimal cost for family insurance coverage
- 401k program – 6% dollar for dollar match
- Life Insurance
- Disability income protection
- Flexible spending account
- Excellent job training
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Fun and relaxed atmosphere in a quick moving but casual office environment
JHMON