Plant Controller

Primary Purpose of Position

Reporting directly to the Vice President & CFO, with secondary reporting to the Plant Manager, the position holder is responsible for providing financial information to appropriate stakeholders in an accurate, timely and effective manner through leading, coaching and performing all necessary duties. Responsible for leading, coaching, and managing the Plant IT and Accounting teams.

Major Responsibilities of Position

• Attainment of all Business Plant Goals: Motivating the management team to address financial objectives. To provide financial information to appropriate stakeholders in an accurate, timely and effective manner.

• Leadership: Set direction and methodology for the day-to-day operation of the plant accounting and IT departments, delegate assignments to ensure the timely and efficient completion of projects. Supervise, coach, and mentor staff and support personnel with their daily duties in support of the business. Motivate and guide employees to work together effectively and to perform their tasks and duties with pride and satisfaction in accordance with Meridian policies and procedures.

• Communication: Effectively communicate with all employees, management and customers and ensure that open and honest lines of communication are available. Respond to all external reporting needs (shareholder, corporate, government, etc.) in a timely and effective manner.

• Budgeting and Financial Controls: Provide the plant management team with the necessary, timely and accurate information to ensure that budget targets are exceeded or met, and financial/departmental goals are achieved.

• Systems: Ensure financial and plant IT systems are effective, timely, efficient, legally compliant, and complete.

• Goal setting: Prioritize activities to ensure timely and accurate completion of all tasks necessary to fulfill team and company goals. Responsible for setting MPA objectives and targets as well as measurables for the accounting and IT teams.

• Training: Train, coach, mentor and develop team members. Encourage use of all Finance and IT related processes and systems. Ensure adequate training and tools necessary for departmental staff are available and promoted.

• Performance Management: Conducting employee evaluations and counseling employees on performance related issues.

• Change Management: Facilitating communication, change, and progress (when needed).

• Environmental Management Team: As a member of the EMS team, ensure continuous improvement by reviewing objectives and targets and internal/external customer concerns; review audit results and EMS program elements, establishing action items and recommendations in accordance with ISO14001 standards.

• Other duties and tasks as assigned.

Rights

• Input on recruitment and termination decisions for Plant Finance and IT departments with defined span of control.
• Access to banking.
• Access to approval processes in Plex: including Capital, Tooling and General expenditures.
• General Ledger journal approval.
• Approval of travel requests for plant Finance and IT team members.
• Salary increase review for Finance and Plant IT personnel.
• Plant level budget review and approval.
• Sign off on all A/P payment runs and cheques.

Contacts

• All interested stakeholders within the business, ensuring confidentiality requirements are strongly observed.
• All suppliers and vendors as related to Finance and IT related items (i.e. business development communication, tax related items, auditing firms, regulatory compliance, etc.).

Personal Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Attributes):

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Ability to analyze data and proactively react when needed.
• Knowledge of all financial related regulations and legislation.
• Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Proven experience with budgeting and forecasting.
• Strong interpersonal, time management, prioritization and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor, train and develop a team.
• Continuous improvement focus.
• Excellent problem solving and customer service skills.
• Negotiation skills, with ability to compromise to achieve sound outcome.
• Strong team ethic.
• Fluency in English.
• Ability to travel as required.

Physical demands:

• Ability to sit, stand and walk.
• Must be able to talk and hear over 2/3 of the time.
• Must have the ability to tolerate the above requirements for a minimum of 8 hours daily.

Work Environment

• Automotive manufacturing environment; salary office supporting role with a minimum of 45+ hours per week. Position is overtime exempt, however additional hours may be required to ensure task accomplishment.

• Production environment: 5% of the time, includes exposure to industrial safety hazards, loud and sudden noises, hot/humid conditions. Extreme temperatures during the summer and winter months can be expected.
• Office environment: 95% of the time, busy office with frequent interruptions and multi-tasking required; standard office equipment available.

Educational and Certification Background

1

Minimum of Bachelors (or higher) degree in Accounting or Finance from an accredited college or university

Essential

2

Minimum of five (5) years in a Plant Controller role within the automotive manufacturing industry

Essential

3

Minimum of 5 years of leadership (management) experience

Essential

4

CPA or CMA designation, or international equivalent

Desired

Click here to apply online