Plant Controller

Foremost Farms USA is one of the largest, leading dairy cooperatives in the United States and major dairy food and ingredients manufacturing business. We represent hundreds of Midwest dairy farmer members located in seven Midwest states, and we produce about 500 million pounds of cheese and 50 million pounds of butter in plants across our network every year. "We Bring Dairy to Life" in seven manufacturing plants across Wisconsin and Michigan and in our headquarters in Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin; and we're looking for employees who are innovative and aim for excellence in our wide variety of production, field and business roles. Join us!

JOB TITLE: Plant Controller
POSITION TYPE: Full time
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

Regular Business Hours

Position Overview

The Plant Controller serves as the primary finance business partner to plant leadership, providing financial guidance that supports safe, efficient, and profitable manufacturing operations. This role combines strong financial stewardship with operational partnership to translate plant performance into actionable insights that drive continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Lead Plant Controller, the Plant Controller is responsible for financial planning, cost management, operational analysis, and maintaining a strong controls environment at the facility. The role plays a critical part in connecting day-to-day plant decisions to broader manufacturing network and enterprise financial objectives.

Key Accountabilities

Drive Plant Financial Performance & Operational Partnership:

• Serve as a key member of the plant leadership team, providing financial insight to support operational decision making

• Partner with plant management to identify risks and opportunities impacting production, cost performance, and profitability

• Translate operational drivers such as yields, throughput, labor efficiency, and downtime into financial outcomes

• Identify and help implement cost improvement and productivity initiatives aligned with network financial targets

• Provide financial evaluation of operational tradeoffs including production scheduling, utilization planning, and downtime decisions

• Support execution of strategic and continuous improvement initiatives led by plant or network leadership

• Provide financial support for maintenance and operational capital initiatives

Lead Plant Planning, Forecasting, and Cost Management

• Lead development of the plant Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and periodic forecasts in alignment with network assumptions

• Validate production plans, yield expectations, and productivity standards supporting financial commitments

• Maintain accuracy of Bills of Material, routings, shrink assumptions, and standard cost drivers

• Develop variable and fixed cost projections and monitor absorption performance

• Identify year over year improvement opportunities through operational and financial analysis

• Partner with the Lead Plant Controller and Operations Finance Manager to ensure plant plans align with enterprise financial outlooks

Financial Analysis, Reporting, and Performance Reviews

• Ensure accurate monthly manufacturing cost reporting and inventory valuation

• Lead financial performance reviews with plant leadership focused on variance analysis and corrective actions

• Translate financial results into clear operational actions that improve performance and accountability

• Provide timely insights and analysis supporting network level financial consolidation

Maintain Strong Financial Controls & Stewardship

• Maintain a strong internal control environment consistent with company policies and audit requirements

• Ensure proper segregation of duties and financial governance at the facility

• Oversee inventory cycle counts, physical verification of spare parts and fixed assets, and related adjustments

• Serve as plant finance leader supporting purchasing discipline and expense policy compliance

• Support internal and external audit activities as required

Other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

1. 2 years of experience in a Plant Controller role or 3 years in other key Finance Leadership roles.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in finance or accounting

2. Dairy or food manufacturing cost accounting experience

Key competencies

• Facilitate trusting relationships through effective communication, follow through on commitments, resolving conflicts and recognizing the good work of others.

• Demonstrate growth-oriented qualities by asking questions, being curious open-minded, agile, learning from failures and inspiring the same in others.

• Develop innovative solutions by bringing and supporting new ideas and thinking.

• Organize work with plans, goals and timelines, prioritization, and time management.

• Take ownership to move self (and team, if applicable) forward with positive approach intended to exceed expectations and inspire same in others.

Physical Setting

• Onsite 3+ days a week with flexibility to work remotely up to 2 days a week

• Ability to travel up to 25%

Benefits:

At Foremost Farms, we believe that you and your family matter most. That's why we're proud to offer one of the most comprehensive and competitive benefits packages in the area - designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - Flexible coverage with options to meet the needs of you and your family
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - 100% company match on up to 8% of your contributions
• Generous Paid Time Off - Start with 200 hours of PTO (pro-rated for first year)
• 10 Paid Holidays - Enjoy time to rest and recharge
• Paid Parental Leave - 6 weeks fully paid
• Health Savings Account (HSA) - when you elect the high-deductible health plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Save for medical and dependent care expenses
• Life and Disability Insurance - Financial protection for you and your loved ones
• Daily Pay Option - Access your earnings when you need them
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free, confidential support for life's challenges
• Referral Program - Earn rewards for bringing great people to our team
• Career Growth Opportunities - Advance your skills and your career with us

This job summary is intended to be brief and does not list all the duties for this position. Nothing in this job description should be construed as an express or implied contract of employment. Foremost Farms USA is an at-will employer, which means that either party is free to terminate the employment relationship at any time, without any advanced notice, for any reason or no reason.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled are encouraged to apply.

At Foremost Farms USA, we believe that employee diversity brings strength to our organization. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disabilities, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Successful completion of pre-employment screening is required, which could include a drug test, background check, and other verifications or assessments to be sure you will be able to succeed in your position.

Are you ready to Be Foremost?

Apply today at www.foremostfarms.com