Plant Controller

Plant Controller

The Plant Controller is the senior accounting leader for Cimarron Trailers and is responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all plant-level financial information. This role owns the full accounting function from the daily transaction level through monthly close with particular emphasis on cost accounting, job costing, and inventory valuation in a custom, build-to-order manufacturing environment.

The Plant Controller serves as a trusted financial resource for plant operations (which includes the facility in Chickasha, OK and Manhattan, KS), translating cost data into actionable insight for the production floor. The Plant Controller reports to the President of Cimarron Trailers with a strong dotted line to Folience Shared Services Accounting and is a member of the leadership team. Collaborates closely with Folience Shared Services on corporate reporting and internal controls. This is a hands-on role that requires deep technical accounting competence, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively across operational and financial disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement the job order costing methodology in the new ERP system; once established, own the job order costing system; ensure all direct materials, direct labor, and overhead are captured accurately at the job level for every trailer produced
• Develop and maintain standard costs; analyze and report on variances between standard and actual costs
• Perform margin analysis by unit, product line, and sales channel including detailed examination of materials, labor, variable overhead, and fixed cost absorption
• Provide costing support for new product development, special orders, and pricing decisions
• Manage the perpetual inventory system; ensure accurate valuation of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods at all times
• Oversee physical inventory counts and cycle count programs; investigate and resolve variances
• Monitor inventory for slow-moving, excess, and obsolete items; recommend and process adjustments as warranted
• Establish and enforce inventory control procedures in coordination with operations
• Execute all daily, weekly, and monthly accounting activities required for a complete, accurate, and timely close
• Manage accounts payable, general ledger, billing, and revenue recognition processes
• Prepare and distribute monthly financial statements and operational cost reports for plant leadership
• Prepare month-end journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules
• Coordinate with the Folience Shared Services team on consolidated reporting, audit support, and internal controls
• Lead the annual budget process for Cimarron, including revenue, cost of goods, operating expenses, capital expenditures, and headcount planning
• Prepare monthly rolling forecasts and variance-to-budget analyses
• Provide operational metrics and KPI reporting including labor efficiency, scrap, cost of quality, and overhead utilization to support management decision-making
• Support capital investment analysis and project cost tracking
• Partner closely with the Director of Systems Integration to configure and validate job costing, perpetual inventory, and cost accounting modules; serve as the accounting lead for implementation decisions with long-term financial reporting implications
• Design, document, and continuously improve accounting processes, workflows, and internal controls
• Coordinate with Shared Services Accounting on payroll processing and related accounting entries
• Supervise, develop, and mentor accounting staff. Responsible for hiring and disciplinary decisions.
• Set clear performance expectations of accountability, accuracy and continuous improvement; provide regular feedback and professional development opportunities
• Will support team and organizational priorities through additional responsibilities as needed

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience with at least 2 years in a manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated expertise in job order costing, standard costing, WIP accounting, and inventory valuation
• Experience in a custom or build-to-order manufacturing environment strongly preferred
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP as applied to manufacturing operations
• Proficiency in ERP systems; experience with configuration or implementation a strong plus. Preference given to previous experience with Acumatica
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• 2+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience

EOE. Pre-employment background check, MVR, and drug screen required.