Plant Controller

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client, a leading global Tier 1 automotive supplier, is seeking an experienced Plant Controller to join its manufacturing leadership team at its facility in Cuautitlan, Estado de México .

This is a strategic finance leadership role responsible for overseeing all plant financial activities, partnering closely with Operations to improve profitability, optimize manufacturing costs, support capital investments, and drive business performance in a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate combines strong financial expertise with a hands-on approach, excellent business partnering skills, and a deep understanding of manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all financial activities for the manufacturing facility.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, forecasts, budgets, and annual operating plans.
• Analyze manufacturing variances including labor, material, overhead, scrap, and inventory.
• Partner with Plant Management to identify cost reduction and productivity improvement opportunities.
• Monitor plant KPIs and provide financial analysis to support operational decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with corporate financial policies, internal controls, and accounting standards.
• Manage the annual budgeting and forecasting process.
• Perform profitability analysis by product, customer, and manufacturing process.
• Oversee inventory accuracy, physical inventories, cycle counts, and inventory valuation.
• Support capital expenditure (CAPEX) planning, justification, tracking, and post-project reviews.
• Lead monthly closing activities ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Coordinate internal and external audits.
• Analyze working capital performance including inventory, receivables, and payables.
• Develop financial models to support strategic initiatives and operational improvements.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Plant Finance team.
• Serve as the primary financial business partner to the Plant Manager and Operations Leadership Team.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field, MBA and/or CPA is a plus.
• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive finance/accounting experience within manufacturing.
• Minimum 3 years in a Plant Controller or Senior Manufacturing Finance leadership role.
• Experience within the automotive industry (Tier 1 preferred) .

Strong understanding of:

• Standard Cost and Manufacturing Cost Accounting
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Inventory Controls
• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
• Internal Controls
• CAPEX Management
• Variance Analysis
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing operations.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• ERP experience.
• Power BI or similar reporting tools are a plus.
• Fluent English required.

Desired Competencies:

• Strategic business partner
• Strong analytical thinking
• Results-oriented
• Excellent communication skills
• Leadership and people development
• High integrity and accountability
• Decision-making based on data
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Strong problem-solving skills

What You'll Be Responsible For:

• Financial Performance
• Cost Control
• Manufacturing Profitability
• Budget Accuracy
• Forecast Reliability
• Inventory Accuracy
• Compliance & Internal Controls
• Operational Financial Support
• Capital Investment Analysis
• Continuous Financial Improvement

Ideal Background:

We are particularly interested in professionals who have worked in:

• Tier 1 Automotive Suppliers
• High-volume Manufacturing
• Lean Manufacturing environments
• Multi-product manufacturing plants
• International manufacturing organizations

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Join a globally recognized automotive manufacturer.
• Be a key member of the Plant Leadership Team.
• Influence strategic and operational decisions.
• Work in a dynamic, fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent opportunity for long-term career growth within a global organization.