Plant Operations Controller

Location: New Century, KS (Travel required to the Hugoton, KS manufacturing facility several days per month) About the Position The Operations Controller partners with the Factory Finance Manager to drive financial performance, operational excellence, and cost optimization across the manufacturing network. This role provides critical financial analysis, reporting, and governance that supports strategic decision-making and ensures the accuracy of factory financial performance. Working closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement, and Finance, the Operations Controller delivers actionable insights that improve productivity, strengthen financial controls, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Performance Business Partnering Partner with the Factory Finance Manager and site leadership to deliver accurate financial reporting and operational insights. Support monthly factory P L reporting, ensuring accuracy across manufacturing costs, inventory, labor, overhead, and production variances. Prepare financial analyses that identify cost drivers, operational risks, and opportunities for productivity improvements.

Provide financial support for capital investments, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational decision-making. Partner with Operations to drive accountability for financial performance and cost management. Budgeting, Forecasting Cost Control Support the annual budgeting process, quarterly forecasts, and monthly financial outlooks.

Perform detailed variance analysis comparing actual performance against budget, forecast, and prior year results. Monitor manufacturing KPIs and recommend corrective actions to improve financial performance. Track spending across labor, materials, utilities, maintenance, and manufacturing overhead.

Identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency while maintaining operational performance. Financial Governance Controls Ensure compliance with internal financial controls, accounting policies, and corporate governance standards. Support month-end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting.

Requirements

Monitor inventory movements, manufacturing variances, and cost allocations to ensure financial accuracy. Assist in developing standardized reporting and financial governance processes across manufacturing operations. Reporting Analytics Develop and maintain financial dashboards and KPI reporting using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Excel.

Analyze factory performance metrics including: Manufacturing costs Labor efficiency Material usage Waste and scrap Inventory performance Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Translate complex financial data into actionable recommendations for operational leaders. Support continuous improvement through enhanced reporting and business intelligence capabilities. Continuous Improvement Identify opportunities to streamline financial processes and improve reporting efficiency.

Recommend process improvements that enhance financial visibility and strengthen operational decision-making. Support cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, cost savings, and manufacturing excellence. Contribute to the development of financial tools, templates, and reporting best practices.

Qualifications

Experience Required Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or a related discipline. Minimum 3–5 years of experience in Operations Finance, Cost Accounting, Manufacturing Finance, or Financial Planning Analysis. Experience supporting manufacturing or supply chain operations.

Strong analytical and financial modeling skills. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Preferred CPA, CMA, or equivalent professional accounting qualification.

Experience within FMCG, consumer packaged goods (CPG), food manufacturing, or industrial manufacturing.