Plant Controller

Job content

Optimas is a global distributor of integrated supply chain solutions, and engineering support focused on delivering fasteners, components, industrial and safety supplies to our diverse customers around the world. Barton Cold-Form is our Manufacturing site in Droitwich, Worcestershire, which is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of safety critical cold forge components.

As Plant Controller, your primary objective is to perform and/or supervise all finance and accounting business activities of the manufacturing business unit; providing financial reporting and financial information that will assist plant management and other leaders in making critical economic decisions. You will work collaboratively through finance business partnering to ensure the tight control of all plant costs by understanding the cost drivers and reporting on them in a timely manner.

KEY RESULT AREAS

• Participate as a member of the plant’s management team in formulating business strategies, plans, and budgets, and monitor ongoing performance to ensure that company goals are achieved.
• Drive improvement in business performance through effective cost and expense review.
• Develop and maintain accounting systems and processes, with particular emphasis on cost accounting, profitability analysis, and maintenance and reporting of key measurements.
• Deliver accurate and timely financial reports including monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and management reports. Accuracy, speed and reliability are critical.
• Maintain accurate inventory records. Perform inventory reconciliations and cost analysis. Make recommendations to improve operations based on the analysis.
• Ensure that financial controls and operating procedures are in place to comply with GAAP.
• Lead the annual budget process and monitor actual results vs. budgeted results. Perform reforecasts during the year as requested by management.
• Evaluate financial contracts, including bid proposals, leases, and payment terms. Be the key link with procurement in the review and analysis of third-party service contracts and the value they bring.
• Perform and/or supervise plant level AR collections, AP payments, and account reconciliations.
• Coordinate with internal and/or external audit teams and take responsibility for related activities, results and action items.
• Implement processes for establishing, monitoring and reporting on performance against Key Performance Indicators, both operational and financial.
• Supervise plant accounting staff, and plant employees maintaining financial information, and work with the corporate accounting group to ensure the accurate and timely production of all financial reports.
• Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts on a recurring basis, including posting monthly journal entries, completing account reconciliations, providing variance analysis, and investigating discrepancies.
• Manage Product/Process costing – ensuring that yields, labour and direct overhead standards reflect the true cost of manufacture. Working with the Plant, Business and Process teams to resolve any differences.
• Maintain stock management and reporting including stock reconciliations and control of stock write-offs.
• Propose and evaluate cost saving / profit enhancing, continuous improvement or system enhancement opportunities.
• Support ethical business practices throughout the operation.

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

• Bachelor degree in Accounting or equivalent, part-qualified/qualified CIMA, ACCA.
• Progressive experience in accounting / finance as well as experience within manufacturing/operations accounting is essential.
• A solid understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and product costing.
• Experience with financial and operational process improvement methodology
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and organisation skills
• Attention to detail and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including presenting complex business issues to all levels of management
• A strong team player
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of products including Advanced Excel skills
• Experience using Epicor ERP software or similar ERP packages to maintain accounting records

To Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Optimas does not accept unsolicited CVs or applications from agencies. Optimas is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs or applications and explicitly reserve its right to contact candidates presented in such unsolicited CV or application.