Plant Controller

Job Title: Plant ControllerLocation: Chattanooga, TN Industry: Manufacturing - Foam / Polyurethane Production Company: Confidential Reports To: Plant Manager Direct Reports: Senior Accountant and Accounting Clerk Tier I Automotive Experience PreferredPosition Overview A confidential Tier I automotive supplier in Chattanooga, TN is seeking a hands-on Plant Controller with strong expertise in manufacturing cost accounting to lead all financial operations for a foam/polyurethane production facility. This position reports directly to the Plant Manager and serves as a key member of the plant leadership team. The Controller will be responsible for driving financial accuracy, cost discipline, inventory integrity, and operational margin performance in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This is a leadership role with direct supervision of a Senior Accountant and an Accounting Clerk, ensuring strong internal controls and financial process execution at the plant level. Key Responsibilities - Heavy Cost Accounting Emphasis Lead all plant-level accounting and financial reporting functions Own and manage standard costing systems, cost rollups, and BOM accuracy Perform detailed material, labor, scrap, yield, and overhead variance analysis Analyze manufacturing absorption, inventory valuation, and gross margin performance Drive cost reduction initiatives in partnership with Operations Oversee WIP, raw material, and finished goods costing accuracy Lead inventory controls, cycle counts, and annual physical inventory Manage monthly close, forecasting, and annual budgeting processes Support capital expenditure analysis and ROI modeling Ensure GAAP compliance and strong internal controls Provide financial insight and cost transparency to plant leadership Leadership & Reporting Structure Reports directly to the Plant Manager Directly manages the Senior Accountant and Accounting Clerk Develops and mentors plant accounting staff Partners cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, and Corporate Finance Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required (CPA or CMA preferred) Minimum 5+ years of manufacturing accounting experience Strong hands-on cost accounting and standard costing expertise required Tier I automotive manufacturing experience strongly preferred Experience in foam, polyurethane, plastics, or chemical manufacturing a plus ERP system experience required Advanced Excel skills Experience supporting high-volume, multi-shift production environments CompensationBase Salary: $110,000 - $115,000 Bonus eligible + comprehensive benefits package

Created: 2026-03-04