Plant Controller (Manufacturing Finance Leader)

HireNow Staffing•Marshalltown, IA

1d•$80,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

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:

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field
Minimum 3+ years of progressive finance or accounting experience
Exposure to manufacturing finance, including at least 2+ years involving cost accounting
Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting practices
Experience working with ERP systems and supporting audit processes
Advanced Excel capability and comfort building financial models and variance reports
Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to translate data into operational insights
Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with plant leadership

Nice To Haves

CPA, CMA, or MBA credentials
Prior plant controller or senior manufacturing finance leadership experience
Background in standard costing environments with complex inventory workflows
2+ years of people leadership or supervisory experience
Proven track record identifying and executing cost-saving initiatives

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and manage plant finance staff, ensuring strong accountability and performance
Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, including journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations
Maintain the general ledger in accordance with GAAP/IFRS and internal corporate policies
Lead cost accounting efforts, including standard costing, variance analysis, and production cost reporting
Investigate and resolve inventory, cost, and accounting discrepancies with operational teams
Develop and enforce strong internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance
Serve as the primary liaison for external auditors and support audit readiness and execution
Partner with plant leadership to develop annual budgets, forecasts, and operational financial plans
Perform detailed analysis of labor efficiency, scrap, throughput, CAPEX, and profitability drivers
Support capital planning, ROI modeling, and strategic investment decisions
Identify, quantify, and track cost-reduction initiatives in collaboration with operations
Evaluate financial impact of new products, automation initiatives, and process improvements
Assist with tax-related compliance, including sales/use, property, and corporate filings
Drive continuous improvement across finance processes and plant performance metrics
Take on additional responsibilities as business needs evolve