Plant Controller

Full-Time Accounting and Finance Melrose Park, IL Company Overview The Company is a middle-market, privately held, family-owned distribution business located in Melrose Park, Illinois. The organization emphasizes long-term growth, customer relationships, operational efficiency, and responsible financial management. Accurate reporting, effective inventory controls, and disciplined resource allocation support its continued success.

Position Summary:

The Plant Controller leads accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and financial analysis for the distribution operation. Reporting to the General Manager, the position serves as a financial business partner, providing insights that improve profitability, inventory management, cash flow, and operational performance. The role ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles )GAAP), maintains effective internal controls, and meets monthly and quarterly reporting deadlines. The Plant Controller combines hands-on accounting leadership with a collaborative approach to strengthening financial accountability and supporting the company's long-term business objectives.

Position Responsibilities:

Leads monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities, ensuring accurate financial statements, journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules in accordance with GAAP and established deadlines.

Partners with the General Manager and operational leaders to assess business performance, communicate financial risks and opportunities, and implement actions that improve profitability and resource utilization.

Directs annual budgeting and rolling forecasting processes, incorporating sales projections, purchasing requirements, warehouse costs, staffing needs, and capital expenditures.

Develops financial and operational reporting that explains budget and forecast variances, tracks key performance indicators, and provides management and ownership with clear recommendations.

Oversees inventory accounting and controls, including valuation, landed costs, cycle counts, physical inventories, reconciliations, and excess and obsolete inventory reserves.

Analyzes product and customer profitability, freight costs, labor productivity, and working capital trends to identify opportunities for margin improvement, operating efficiency, and stronger cash flow.

Strengthens internal controls, accounting procedures, ERP utilization, and reporting workflows to safeguard assets, improve data accuracy, and support efficient business growth.

Leads and develops assigned accounting personnel while coordinating with company leadership and external accounting professionals to support audit and tax requirements, capital investment analysis, and long-term financial planning.

Key Qualifications and Attributes:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA or CMA designation preferred.

Seven or more years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including at least three years in a plant, site, or operational accounting leadership role within distribution, manufacturing, or another inventory-intensive business.

Thorough understanding of GAAP, financial statement preparation, revenue recognition, balance sheet reconciliations, and internal controls, with demonstrated adherence to monthly and quarterly reporting deadlines.

Strong technical knowledge of inventory valuation, cost accounting, cost of goods sold, gross margin analysis, and the financial drivers of warehouse and distribution operations.

Proven experience leading budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and working capital management; experience supporting a middle-market, privately held or family-owned company preferred.

Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities; experience with warehouse management systems and business intelligence tools preferred.

Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, including the ability to develop accounting personnel, establish clear accountability, and manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy.

Effective stakeholder communication skills, discretion, and sound business judgment, with the ability to translate financial information into actionable recommendations for the General Manager, operational leaders, and family ownership.

Compensation:

$120,000 - $150,000 plus bonus potential