Site Controller
IPG PhotonicsAbout the role
Site Controller – Manufacturing Operations
Position Overview
The Site Controller is the senior accounting leader at our Alabama manufacturing site and is responsible for financial integrity, cost control, and operational decision support. The role bridges corporate finance requirements with day‑to‑day plant operations, ensuring accurate reporting, strong internal controls, and actionable financial insight for site leadership.
Core Responsibilities
Financial Analysis, Reporting & Insight
- Own site‑level financial results and provide actionable insights to plant and business leadership
- Lead monthly close activities, including journal entries and reconciliations
- Prepare and present financial forecasts, annual operating plans, and variance analyses
- Produce and review standard and ad hoc financial reports for site and corporate management
Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Support
- Oversee costing and pricing analysis for touch labor, projects, and manufacturing activities
- PPV Analysis
- Own standard costing, margin analysis, and production cost variance analysis
- Ensure accurate product costing and bill of materials (BOM) integrity
- Partner with operations to identify cost drivers and support continuous improvement initiatives
- Labor and Overhead Rate Calculation
Inventory & Controls Leadership
- Own inventory accounting, including work‑in‑process (WIP) analysis and inventory valuation
- Lead physical inventory counts and reconciliation of discrepancies
- Ensure compliance with SOX and internal control policies at the site level
- Develop, implement, and maintain strong accounting processes and SOPs
Systems, Processes & Training
- Serve as site owner for ERP and inventory systems (e.g., Business Central)
- Drive best practices and alignment of accounting and inventory procedures
- Train and support manufacturing personnel in inventory systems and financial processes
- Identify and implement improvements to accounting processes and reporting efficiency
Leadership & Business Partnership
- Act as the primary finance partner to the Plant Manager and site leadership team
- Translate financial data into operational insights for non‑finance stakeholders
- Support performance metrics and KPIs tied to productivity, cost, and profitability
- May mentor or oversee site accounting staff if the need occurs
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
- 7+ years of experience in manufacturing finance, cost accounting, or plant accounting
- Strong knowledge of GAAP and internal controls
- Advanced proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office (especially Excel)
- Demonstrated ability to operate at both detailed transactional and strategic levels
- Strong communication and cross‑functional partnership skills
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