Lead Plant Controller (Manufacturing Finance & Product Costing)

Job Description

Cost Control & Analysis:

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective cost control systems and procedures for all plant operations.
• Monitor and analyze actual costs against budgets and forecasts, identifying variances and investigating their root causes.
• Prepare detailed cost reports, highlighting key trends, performance metrics, and areas for improvement.
• Lead monthly/quarterly cost reviews with department managers to discuss performance and action plans.
• Drive continuous improvement in cost management by identifying and implementing cost-saving opportunities.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Lead the annual plant budgeting process, collaborating with departmental managers to establish realistic and achievable cost targets.
• Develop accurate and reliable cost forecasts based on production plans, material prices, and operational changes.
• Monitor capital expenditure (CAPEX) budgets and project costs, ensuring adherence to approved plans.

Product Costing & Pricing Support:

• Understanding accurate standard costs for all products, and respective allocation of direct and indirect costs.
• Analyze product profitability and provide cost data to support pricing decisions and new product development.
• Conduct "should cost" analysis and value engineering studies to identify cost reduction opportunities in product design and manufacturing.

Production Analysis:

• Work closely with production and supply chain teams to optimize inventory levels and reduce waste.
• Analyze production variances (e.g., efficiency, scrap, rework) and their impact on overall costs.
• Provide financial insights into production efficiency and bottleneck identification.

Reporting & Compliance:

• Prepare and present financial reports to plant management, corporate finance, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies.

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Mentor and potentially supervise junior cost staff (if applicable).
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Sales.
• Act as a financial business partner to plant operational leadership, providing proactive financial guidance and support.

System Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve costing systems, processes, and tools (e.g., reporting automation).

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in cost accounting or financial analysis within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of driving cost reductions and process improvements.

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in SAP (S4 as preference) with hands-on experience in cost modules.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, financial modeling).
• Experience with business intelligence (BI) tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is a plus.
• Solid understanding of standard costing, activity-based costing, and variance analysis.

Soft Skills

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership capabilities and the ability to influence others.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy.
• Proactive and results driven.

Additional Information

• Leave Entitlement e.g: Annual Leave, Medical Leave and etc
• Company Insurances and etc