Plant Controller Job

Bostik is a leading global adhesive specialist in construction, consumer and industrial markets. For more than a century, we have been developing innovative adhesive solutions that are smarter and more adaptive to the forces that shape daily lives. From cradle to grave, from home to office, Bostik’s smart adhesives can be found everywhere. With annual sales of €2 billion, the company employees 6,000 people and has a presence in more than 50 countries.

The Plant Controller is a member of the Plant Leadership Teams in Ringwood and Elk Grove plants.  As the Finance Business Partner, this role works collaboratively with the members of the Plant leadership team and actively influences plant level decision making, to enable continued success.  Responsible for communicating the financial results and leading plant budgets, forecasts and outlooks as well as monitoring fixed asset spending and inventory valuation accuracy.  Ensures that the financial statements issued by the plant accurately reflect financial results and ensures adherence to internal control & compliance to financial policies & procedures.  Based in Chicago area with hybrid schedule including days at Ringwood, IL and Elk Grove, IL.

Key Activities

Provide financial statements, control and alert on discrepancies, make recommendations and play an active role in the following areas:

• Plant conversion costs – Understands site conversion costs including monitoring and controlling conversion cost spending to ensure a full and complete understanding of the cost to operate the site.   This includes cost allocations, expenditure commitments and ensuring timely receipt of goods/services, supporting on a day-to-day basis the local managers.  Ensures that plant level costs are recorded in accordance with Bostik policy.  Reviews and monitors direct labor spending and communicates issues identified timely.
• Material and Production costs – Reviews and understands Weighted Average Costs and Standard Costs for their site.  Completes cost estimate calculations, reviews recipes to ensure proper Material Usage Variance (MUV) analysis throughout the year.  Analyzes and communicates actual product cost variances including but not limited to Purchase Price Variance, Scrap and MUV.  Informs Manufacturing Controlling Manager and BU Controller of any alteration on production process performance, tracks and communicates under/over absorption at production work centers and UG level.
• Inventory valuation – Ensures accurate inventory valuation by reviewing and approving finished goods product Standard Cost.  Identifies and communicates raw material costing issues for their site(s), monitors cycle counts/physical inventories to ensure adherence to policy.  Monitors spare parts and inventory, manage (analyze, adjust, validate) inventory provisions (slow moving and quality based on identified issues).
• Financial statements – control and detect any variances in regards to budget, Group Reporting Manual, IFRS, US GAAP, request any corrective manual entries as needed.

Industrial investment – Monitors and controls fixed asset project expenses in close coordination with plant leadership. Communicates timely the completion of the project to allow for appropriate capitalization.  Works with plant leadership to maintain accuracy of fixed asset registry. Performs fixed asset inventories in accordance with Bostik Policy.  Ensures assets are appropriately identified and disposed of with the addition of any new/replacement capital.

•  Month end close – Manage month-end close process within SAP. Provides timely communication of results to the BU leaders in accordance with reporting schedule.
• Budget and year-end forecast – Responsible for coordinating the plant budget process.   Prepares cost data for the next year (calculate activity rates & validate recipes). Compiles the annual conversion cost budget (cost center hierarchy, headcount, payroll, maintenance costs, etc.), review and adjust allocation keys for shared expenses, analyze yearly conversion cost evolution versus year-end-forecast, provide the BU a detailed presentation.
• Financial statement – Communicate site financial results, providing a monthly financial report to Manufacturing Controlling Manager, Finance Managers - BU and Corporate.
•  Other – Supports year end audit requirements regarding plant financials to external/internal auditors.
•  Mentoring – support development of local manufacturing staff on accounting principles, internal controls, financial statement analysis, cost analysis and inventory control.

Qualifications/Experience required

•  B.S. or B.A. in Accounting/Finance
• At least 3-years of experience in a finance/accounting role within a manufacturing organization
• ERP experience required (SAP preferred)
• Strong MS Excel skills (pivot tables, v lookups, etc.)
• Attention to detail, analytical skills, responsive.
• Good relationship building skills, organizational skills, reactivity, ability to see the whole picture and neutrality.
• Travel: 25-40%