Plant Controller

$125,000 - $145,000/Yr

Ajinomoto Foods North America - Ontario, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Ontario, CA

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Controller is responsible for overseeing all plant accounting functions, ensuring compliance with corporate and GAAP guidelines. This role involves preparing financial reports and providing strategic advice to management teams regarding the financial health of the plant. The Controller collaborates closely with the plant's General Manager and the Senior Director of Operations Finance to enhance operational financial performance. This position requires a strong focus on safeguarding company assets and ensuring the accuracy of financial data. The Controller will lead the accounting department, ensuring that all accounting functions are performed accurately and timely, in accordance with JSOX regulations. This role is critical in maintaining the financial integrity of the plant and requires a hands-on approach to financial management. In addition to overseeing accounting activities, the Controller will implement and communicate accounting policies and procedures to maintain adequate internal controls. This includes preparing and administering the department budget, monitoring performance against budgeted targets, and making recommendations for improvement. The Controller will also conduct financial analyses, interpret significant events impacting business operations, and participate in setting short-term and long-range financial goals. The position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to lead a team effectively. The Controller will represent the company in dealings with vendors and government agencies as needed, and may be required to work longer hours for special projects.

Responsibilities

• Directs and has functional responsibility for accounting activities; provides technical guidance, leadership, and direction to direct reports and management staff regarding the financial management of the business.
• Oversees communication, implementation, and administration of accounting policies and procedures essential to maintaining adequate internal control of operations; implements internal systems to improve efficiency of operations.
• Prepares and administers department budget; exercises general direction over preparing the plant's annual budgets and capital expenditure plans; monitors performance against budgeted targets; formulates and recommends specific courses of action to resolve problem areas.
• Directs the preparation and presentation of the plant's financial information to the General Manager; ensures all data is accurately and uniformly recorded and reported to represent the plant's financial position properly.
• Conducts studies and analyses of internal financial data; interprets and reports to management significant events and practices having an impact on business operations.
• Participates in the formulation of short term and long-range financial goals and objectives; analyzes financial aspects of strategies and plans and makes specific recommendations which will result in cost reductions and profit improvement.
• Supervises maintenance of ledgers, inventory records of raw materials, packaging, and finished goods and related accounting reports, files and documents; ensures all accounting functions are performed accurately and on a timely basis, in accordance with JSOX.
• Represents the Company in dealings with vendors and/or government agencies, as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Five (5) to eight (8) or more years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience in a high-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Broad business experience, preferred experience in cost accounting.
• Mastery of balance sheets, profit & loss statement, and cash flow.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with Expert level skills in Excel and Power Point.
• Knowledge of ERP systems and JD Edwards preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively present information to management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make sound recommendations.
• Must be self-motivated, results oriented, possess a high degree of initiative and work well under pressure.
• Ability to select, lead, coach, influence, motivate, develop, engage and retain a team of employees.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with JD Edwards ERP system.
• Advanced knowledge of financial modeling and forecasting techniques.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $125,000 to $145,000.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.