Job Description

Why This Role

Most plant accounting roles keep you in one lane. This one puts you at the center of the operation. You'll be the senior finance presence on site, running day-to-day accounting while working directly with corporate leadership on close, audits, and consolidated reporting. When production numbers move, you're the one who finds out why and explains it. When corporate needs clean, reliable figures, they come to you. The work spans plant-level detail and company-wide reporting, and it includes special projects such as business unit analysis and acquisition support. For a manufacturing accountant ready to step into controllership, this role offers real ownership, real visibility, and a clear path forward.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Corporate Controller, the Assistant Controller / Plant Controller owns the accounting function at the Newton manufacturing facility. Day to day, that means overseeing AP, AR, payroll, and the general ledger, supporting month-end close, and keeping reconciliations accurate across the organization. On the operations side, you'll run the monthly physical inventory, partner with production leaders on variances and Bills of Materials, and make sure inventory activity is recorded correctly. You'll also strengthen processes and controls, serve as the go-to resource on non-routine transactions, and develop the accounting staff around you.

Core Responsibilities

• Own daily AP, AR, payroll, and general ledger operations for the facility
• Drive month-end close support and prepare and review account reconciliations company-wide
• Lead the monthly physical inventory process and oversee inventory transaction processing
• Partner with manufacturing to investigate variances, explain results, and maintain accurate Bills of Materials
• Support the Corporate Controller on daily banking, audit readiness, and consolidated weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting
• Manage customer credit monitoring, tracking exposure and AR aging against approved limits
• Research and apply accounting policy to non-routine transactions, advising both finance and operations teams
• Identify and implement process and systems improvements that tighten accuracy and efficiency
• Train, mentor, and develop accounting staff
• Contribute to special projects, including business unit analysis and acquisition-related work

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally within a manufacturing environment
• Hands-on experience with inventory accounting, standard costing, variance analysis, and physical counts
• Solid command of AP, AR, payroll, and GL processes, plus month-end close and audit support
• Ability to translate financial results for operations leaders and work effectively on the plant floor
• Experience training or supervising accounting staff
• Sharp analytical skills, strong attention to detail, and a drive to improve how things get done

Additional Details

• Onsite in Newton, KS
• Reports directly to the Corporate Controller
• Willingness to travel as needed
• Exempt, full-time position

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