Plant Controller

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and StruXure®.

With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.

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Summary

The Plant Controller I will be responsible for providing comprehensive financial leadership to the plant. The Plant Controller functions as the leading accounting professional in the plant and is responsible for the accurate reporting of results and maintenance of the company’s assets, through balance sheet integrity and providing a rigorous control environment. The Plant Controller also serves as the business partner to the Plant Manager to focus largely on providing financial and operational leadership and improvements, including identifying and driving cost reductions. This position leads a team that is a combination of Assistant Controller, Cost Accountants, Production Clerks, and Plant Buyers.

What You’ll Do:

Provide accurate reporting of results and maintenance of the company’s assets through balance sheet integrity and providing a rigorous control environment as the lead accountant and financial professional at the plant:

• Foster a strong control environment in the plant and ensure balance sheet integrity and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance
• Adhere to sound internal control processes, improve any control deficiencies, and set the proper routines and processes related to internal controls. Mitigate business risks as they are identified.
• Work cross-functionally with central accounting to lead control and efficiency initiatives resulting in a better control environment that is easier to monitor.
• Manage a complete and thorough month end close process, including owning all plant accounting operations, reporting, and plant financial statements
• Prepare and manage the annual budget process, and coordinate and manage regular forecast updates.
• Analyze and interpret plant operation results, evaluating variances, and assessing the effects on the plant’s operations
• Monitor financial performance to identify and drive cost reductions
• Serve as project manager on cost reduction initiatives, working cross functionally with engineers, procurement, and plant operators to drive cost reductions
• Coordinate with plant operations to prepare business cases to support capital investments, including financial justification and proper accounting treatment.
• Act as a strong example of integrity and ‘Doing the Right Thing’
• Drive negotiations with key vendors either directly or via partnering with procurement

Serve as the business partner to the Plant Manager to focus on providing financial and operational leadership and improvements, including identifying and driving cost reductions:

• Provide daily, weekly and monthly reports for plant and corporate management
• Provide management with the strategic tools and reports to drive business results
• Manage plant performance on improvement goals and KPI’s
• Drive operational improvements, including development, implementation, and maintenance
• Support multiple manufacturing production lines

Manage others and provide leadership, ongoing development, mentoring, and strong learning experiences:

• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of 2 to 5 Cost Accountants, Buyers, and/or Clerks
• Delegate day-to-day accounting activities to the Cost Analyst and other accounting staff as appropriate
• Providing effective leadership to staff, direct reports, and others in the Company to improve their performance and directing their career development
• Train and develop staff to ensure that their work is progressing as desired in the areas of proper collection, calculation, and reporting of cost, production, inventory, and other financial information to aid in career progression

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• MBA or Master’s degree in Accounting or Finance preferred
• Minimum of 7 or more years of manufacturing/cost accounting experience required
• Prior leadership/management experience required (min of 3 years direct supervisory)
• ERP systems software experience, SAP preferred
• CPA or CMA preferred
• Knowledge of GAAP and Sarbanes Oxley a plus
• Demonstrated ability in managing a general ledger resulting in accurate books and records while driving efficiencies in these areas
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments while meeting deadlines and quality of execution, as well as effectively taking action to solve problems while exhibiting sound judgment and successful stress tolerance
• Demonstrated experience and ability in compiling annual operating plans and budgets, combined with the ability to successfully apply forecasting techniques and skills to develop and evaluate business goals and strategies, analyze information to derive insights and implications to initiate planning and/or re-planning, and controlling actual results versus budget
• Demonstrated advanced skills with various standard software (Microsoft Word, Excel, including pivot tables & VLOOKUPs, PowerPoint, & Outlook, and internet), and other financially-related and proprietary software
• Demonstrated experience in process improvements & cost savings plans
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial and cost accounting processes and procedures in a manufacturing environment, including accounting for and maintaining inventory and project costing.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability in guiding direct reports to accomplish performance goals
• Excellent interpersonal and written/oral communication skills with the demonstrated ability to convey ideas to a diverse audience and ability to relate well to others to effectively coordinate activities and accomplish goals
• Results-oriented to ensure delivery of appropriate products and services in an accurate, complete, and timely fashion
• Teamwork/ collaboration expertise with significant experience in team/project-oriented activities
• Ability to communicate cost and financial information to all levels across the business
• Business acumen to elicit trust and credibility with all levels of the organization
• “Shop floor” experience in a manufacturing environment (not just assembly)
• Extensive experience with fixed asset and capital project tracking
• Proven track record directing external resources to manage and execute effectively

What You’ll Receive:

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $135,000.00 to $168,000.00. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.

At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.

• Compensation: competitive salary and bonus eligibility
• Insurance: day-one health coverage medical, dental, vision, life insurance
• Paid Time Off: vacation and company holidays
• Retirement: 401(k) with 6% match
• Investments: Employee Stock Purchase plan (ESP)
• Work-Life Balance: parental leave, wellness programs
• Purpose. Impact. Community: Sustainability Initiatives | James Hardie

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James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.

James Hardie will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.

The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.