Plant Controller / Manufacturing Exp Req

🏭 This role is based at our production facility in Norwood, MA and follows a hybrid work schedule of 4 days onsite and 1 day remote

⚙️ Prior experience in a full-scale production manufacturing environment is required

💰 Pay Range: $186,000.00 - $223,000.00 annually (based on experience and qualifications)

The Director, Operations Finance is a key financial leader within our Boston-area manufacturing facility, responsible for overseeing all financial activities and ensuring the integrity of financial reporting. This leader will not only support but will actively shape senior management decision-making by delivering strategic financial insights and actionable recommendations that drive operational excellence, enforce high-quality standards, and foster continuous improvement across all facets of manufacturing and supply chain operations. Business acumen is critical for success, so spending time on the floor with the operators to understand and influence will be important. As a vital member of the divisional Leadership Team, this role will require a broad business acumen along with the vision, influencing, and collaboration skills to help transform Operations through innovative finance strategies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plant Controllership – Norwood Plant: Oversee plant controllership of the Norwood manufacturing facility.  Spend time on the plant floor partnering with the production and maintenance teams to understand the drivers of financial performance.  Collaborate with these teams to increase visibility of key performance drivers to improve operational performance. For this functionality, you will work directly with the Plant Manager to drive continuous improvement in production processes, focusing on cost control, efficiency and productivity. 
• Plant Controllership – South Windsor, CT Plant: Responsible for overseeing financial operations at our future production facility once it becomes operational.
• End-to-End Supply Chain Financial Oversight: In addition to overseeing the plant performance, provide financial tracking and support for all other Operations costs for this consumer products business including:  freight, procurement, warehousing, inventory management/reconciliation and planning.
• FP&A Operations Support: Represent Operations throughout the monthly IBP cycle and partner with FP&A to interface operations inputs into the monthly IBP forecasts and annual business planning processes.  Lead the financial close process for the facility in line with the scheduled closing timeline.  Prepare and present monthly reporting and detailed financial analyses explaining any variances to plan. 
• Contract Management / Strategic Sourcing: Oversee Purchasing Manager to ensure Master Agreements are signed with all vendors and suppliers, reducing risk through contract terms and conditions.  Oversee contract and price negotiations to realize cost savings and optimal terms for HMF.  Identify contract and savings opportunities including RFP Management.
• Strategic Leadership: Lead the financial strategy for operational effectiveness and efficiency, ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals and driving strategic initiatives that enhance profitability and competitive advantage.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with senior leadership across departments, including Operations, R&D, marketing, and sales, to optimize product costing and ensure alignment of financial goals with strategic initiatives, fostering a culture of financial accountability throughout the organization. The incumbent is a key member of the Business Leadership Team, a cross-functional team aligning and driving strategic elements across the business.
• Advanced Financial Analytics: Develop and implement advanced predictive analytics to forecast operational trends, identify cost reduction opportunities, operationally support growth opportunities, and support strategic business development efforts across the company.
• Capital Strategy Oversight: Lead the strategic planning and execution of a multi-million-dollar capital projects budget, managing the CAPEX oversight process, assessing risk and opportunity while guiding resource allocation decisions and project prioritization.
• Performance Metrics Development: Establish and refine operational KPIs and benchmarks, driving transparency and accountability throughout the organization while continuously exploring opportunities for process optimization and resource allocation. Ensure accuracy and timely delivery of deliverables.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Present comprehensive financial insights and recommendations to the President, Chief Operations Officer, Operations Leadership Team, and other key stakeholders, influencing and enhancing their understanding of financial performance relative to operational strategies.
• Change Management Leadership: Champion continuous improvement initiatives in Operations, guiding the organization through periods of transformation by modeling best practices in change management and financial strategy.
• Talent Development and Succession Planning: Foster a high-performance culture by mentoring and developing a team, ensuring succession planning and a pipeline of future leaders within the finance and operations teams.
• Continuous Professional Development: Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and technological advancements to ensure that the organization remains competitive in the ever-evolving landscape of supply chain and manufacturing finance.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, economics, or business required; an MBA or CPA is preferred.
• Significant experience in a senior finance role within a manufacturing or supply chain-focused organization, with a deep understanding of operational financial management.
• Proven track record of implementing strategic financial initiatives that have driven substantial business improvements and efficiency gains.
• Strong familiarity with GAAP and ERP systems (such as SAP or similar platforms), with the ability to quickly learn Microsoft Dynamics 365; prior D365 experience is a plus. Proficiency with BI tools, Excel, and advanced analytical methodologies to support data-driven decision-making.
• Exceptional leadership capabilities and experience influencing cross-functional teams in a dynamic environment.
• Highly developed communication and influencing skills, able to engage effectively with both financial and non-financial stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated capacity for analysis, creative problem-solving and innovative financial solutions in support of operational strategies.