About the Plant Controller Role

Join a rapidly expanding aerospace manufacturing powerhouse as their new Plant Controller in Montgomery, Alabama. This hands-on leadership position is tailor-made for a seasoned manufacturing finance expert eager to drive cost accounting excellence and financial performance reporting for a key production facility. With responsibilities extending to support a second plant, you'll be at the heart of operational finance, bridging the gap between plant floor realities and corporate strategy. As the company accelerates toward public-company readiness amid growth and acquisitions, your role will be pivotal in establishing robust financial controls, standard costing frameworks, and insightful variance analysis that propel profitability and efficiency.

This is more than a job—it's a career-defining opportunity to embed yourself in operations, influence product costing decisions, and deliver actionable financial intelligence to executive leadership. Robert Half, a leader in finance and accounting recruitment, proudly presents this newly created position for professionals passionate about manufacturing controllership in the aerospace sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of manufacturing cost accounting for the Montgomery plant, providing critical support to a secondary location.
• Design, implement, and refine standard costing models encompassing materials, labor, and overhead allocations.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of gross margins, product mix optimization, and key variances such as material usage, labor efficiency, overhead absorption, scrap rates, and rework costs.
• Collaborate intimately with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to ensure BOM accuracy, routing precision, and production efficiency metrics.
• Serve as the vital link between plant operations and finance leadership, translating complex production data into clear financial narratives.
• Deliver monthly cost trend reports, variance explanations, and performance dashboards to plant managers and C-suite executives.
• Champion plant-level financial reporting that meets evolving public-company standards, including SOX compliance readiness.
• Oversee precise inventory accounting for raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods, minimizing discrepancies.
• Lead inventory reconciliations, cycle counts, physical inventories, and external audit support.
• Execute cost-related journal entries, accruals, and contribute to a streamlined month-end close process.
• Partner on annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and advanced cost driver modeling to inform strategic decisions.
• Drive ERP migration initiatives, safeguarding the integrity of cost data and manufacturing modules throughout transitions.

Required Qualifications

To excel as Plant Controller, candidates must bring a proven track record in manufacturing finance. A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline is essential, complemented by 5-7 years of direct experience in plant controllership or cost accounting within manufacturing, ideally aerospace or similar industries. Proficiency in standard costing systems, variance analysis, and inventory management is non-negotiable. Familiarity with ERP platforms like SAP, Oracle, or Epicor, especially in migration contexts, will set you apart.

Key skills include exceptional analytical prowess, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to communicate financial insights to non-finance stakeholders. CPA or CMA certification is highly preferred. Thrive in a primarily onsite environment at our Montgomery facility, where you'll shape processes in a private equity-backed, high-growth setting. If you're a proactive problem-solver ready to impact plant P&L directly, this role awaits.

Why Join Us?

Step into an environment pulsing with opportunity at this private equity-fueled aerospace leader. Gain unparalleled exposure to growth initiatives, acquisitions, and public readiness preparations that accelerate your career trajectory. Enjoy the autonomy to build financial infrastructure from the ground up, fostering direct influence on operational excellence and profitability.

Robert Half offers unmatched support in your career journey, connecting top talent like you to transformative roles. With a competitive salary up to $120,000, onsite work in vibrant Montgomery, AL, and a culture of innovation, this is your chance to make an indelible mark. Apply now or connect with Bryan Rushing, Robert Half Birmingham, for immediate consideration. Keywords: Plant Controller jobs Montgomery AL, manufacturing cost accountant, aerospace finance careers, ERP migration specialist.