To meet the basic qualification for this role, you will have a bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field. In addition, to be a good fit for the Plant Controller opportunity, you will have:

• An MBA or other master's degree and/or CPA or CMA preferred
• 5-7 years of experience in a similar position in a manufacturing environment; ideally in automotive or durable goods manufacturing  Quick question for you - click here
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP
• A wide breadth of experience including:
  • Month-end close
  • P&L activities including variance and cost
  • Internal controls
  • Forecasting, budgeting, and planning; proficiency with financial statement analysis and projection
  • Inventory control
  • Data collection, analysis, and evaluation
  • Cost accounting experience preferred
  • Public experience preferred
• Strong computer skills including expertise in MS Office, particularly Excel
• Understanding of computer-driven process controls and enterprise resource systems in a manufacturing facility Quick question for you - click here
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret financial reports and legal documents

In addition, success in the role will require the following core competencies and characteristics:

• Outstanding interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to work and build effective business relationships with management, peers, staff, and other stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills with sound judgment and the ability to make timely decisions; ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries from the business
• Ability to lead, motivate and influence others
• Strong business acumen and problem-solving skills with an eye for improvements  
• Good planning and organizational skills; ability to handle multiple concurrent tasks and meet strict deadlines 
• High standards including personal and professional ethics and integrity
• Flexibility, initiative, and the ability to work as a leader, individual contributor, and strong team member in a dynamic, fast-paced environment 

As an essential business, we have strong protocols in place across all of our campus operations to protect our employees and safeguard their health.

If you combine success as a controller (or similar) in a manufacturing environment with deep knowledge of GAAP, a well-rounded skill-set (e.g. month-end close, P&L responsibilities, forecasting, etc.) and the ability to build strong business partnerships, the role of Plant Controller offers you some compelling opportunities. You will:

• Make your mark as an on-site controller supporting 2 plants and impacting process optimization, cost reduction, inventory control, and much more. 
• Enjoy high visibility as you work directly with the Plant Manager, Business Unit General Manager and other leaders, and report directly to the Vice President of Finance.
• Join an outstanding, growing Finance team and take ownership of a new role. We are adding plant-level controllers to align with our market strategy and enhance the partnership between Finance and Plant Operations. You can help evolve your role -- we'll welcome your strong ideas. 
• Gain wide exposure, including a full view of the P&L from top to bottom, and ample opportunities to develop and enhance an array of skills.
• Enjoy the stability and resources of an established and growing company producing products that are in high demand. Our trucks make ecommerce shopping, grocery, and pharmaceutical at-home deliveries a reality. 

Utilimaster moves ahead of the competition when commercial trucks and upfit services require precision, planning, peerless people, and the perfect vehicle. Our vehicles deliver for well-respected global brands in the package delivery, ecommerce, food and beverage, linen and laundry, grocery, and pharmaceutical markets. Utilimaster is a top-tier go-to-market brand of The Shyft Group (NASDAQ: SHYF), North America's leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets. The Shyft Group rebranded in 2020 to reflect a new focus on high-growth end markets to help ensure long-term profitable growth.

As Plant Controller, you will be responsible for planning and coordinating the plant budget and business planning activities in alignment with corporate policies and practices. Additionally, you will provide financial direction to the plant and provide recommendations to improve site performance. You will be responsible for internal controls, month-end close, and supporting the management team with information and analytics on plant costs, inventory management, and continuous improvement opportunities. 

Your primary areas of responsibility will include spend analysis, material & labor variance analysis, forecasting, KPI management, and reporting, asset safeguarding, and evaluating/tracking cost out opportunities. Specifically, you will:

• Support the Plant Manager, Business Unit Controller, VP of Finance, and Corporate Controller in all their financial reporting and analysis needs 
• ​Month-end close: Hold responsibility for the month-end accounting close and reporting cycle, including balance sheet account reconciliations, key statistical entries, manufacturing variances, and other financial reporting requirements
• General accounting: Ensure compliance with policies and procedures in accordance with U.S. GAAP with respect to period recognition of costs, capital vs. expense, accruals, etc. Implement Standard Operating Procedures and make recommendations to improve them for potential adoption across all plants. Support internal and external audit requirements according to SOX and the PBC listing 
• Cost accounting: Maintaining standard costs, bill of material cost rolls, PPV analysis, monthly journal entries, and labor & overhead analysis and reporting. Participate in plant problem solving and Continuous Improvement (CI) teams as finance subject matter expert by providing manufacturing support and analysis in such areas as process performance, line efficiency, capital spending, inventory management, customer service objectives, production costing, and cost reduction 
• Data integrity: Ensure that plant activity for production, shipments, plant expenses, and inventory adjustments are recorded timely and accurately so that information in the systems can be relied upon for accounting, financial reporting, supply chain execution, and analysis
• Internal controls: Monitor and implement plant internal controls (in conjunction with corporate policies) as necessary to ensure reporting integrity, safeguard company assets, and identify risks  
• Planning and forecasting: Coordinate the plant annual planning with the preparation of the plant budget, monthly forecasts, and ongoing reporting and analysis of actual costs vs, budget, key drivers of variances, and identifying opportunities for cost management. This includes certain weekly spend and KPI reporting. 
• Spend analysis and control: Help investigation of weekly/monthly dashboard of spending, highlighting opportunities for improvement. Support analysis and commentary of drivers behind variances, month to month vs. prior year, and forecast and budget
• Review production variances (materials & labor) with management and help drive to root cause
• Collate labor straight time and overtime daily and review with plant management 
• Ensure correct codifications of expenses are in line with company standards 
• Monitor spending on key categories to include maintenance, supplies, and consumables, and support company initiatives to reduce spending 
• Review and approve inventory cycle counts inter-month and period-end physicals in-line with Company instructions, document results, and suggest improvements  
• And more

Note: This description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Excellent training
You will enjoy excellent training both onsite and at other plant locations, and with plant and finance leaders. You will spend time in Kansas City learning our processes and then at our large plant in Bristol, IN.

Stability and growth
The Shyft Group is financially sound and will continue to be an aggressive market disrupter through strategic acquisitions, relevant product innovations, and aggressive growth models that serve strong and growing end markets. Be assured, our accelerated growth trajectory will create opportunities for strong performers.

Focused transformation
Utilimaster, alongside The Shyft Group's family of well-respected brands, continues to lead in every segment in which they compete. The Shyft name represents speed, efficiency, agility, and a high-intensity approach, which corresponds with the company's pivot in market focus and the forward momentum garnered in the work truck, specialty service, and delivery vehicle markets.

Driven to deliver
Ever evolving and advancing, The Shyft Group is driven to make an impactful difference in how effectively goods, people, and services are delivered in today's and tomorrow's marketplace. Through our unmatched industry knowledge, engineering expertise, and manufacturing reach, we continue to deliver job-enhancing, efficiency-driving, ever-reliable products and services made for the road ahead.

Excellent compensation
In addition to competitive compensation, we offer medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance plans; a health savings account; a flexible savings account; wellness credits; a wellness program; a 401(k) plan with a corporate match; an employee stock purchase program and more.

To be successful in the role of Plant Controller, you’ll understand the alignment between corporate and plant goals and objectives, and your responsibilities in meeting them. You'll have a clear sense of direction for the future of the plants' accounting functions, bring your own ideas and eye for improvements to the table, and work to build strong relationships both at the plant and corporate levels. Daily, you'll serve as a  resource to the plant manager and will know you're hitting the mark when he sees the value you add and turns to you as an expert. Additionally, you'll leverage strong leadership skills to act as a strong manager and mentor to the Plant Controller in California.

Additionally, an outstanding plant controller will have: 

• The ability to manage multiple priorities, a fast-pace and the stress that can accompany them. 
• The ability to identify areas of improvement and areas that are working well.
• A strong sense of urgency.
• The ability to consistently meet deadlines, such as month-end close.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving.
• A positive, professional attitude.
• Honesty, integrity, and transparency.
• A clear and helpful communication style.