Group Controller

Position Summary:

The Group Controller provides financial leadership for a multi‑plant corrugated manufacturing organization, ensuring accurate consolidated reporting, strong internal controls, and consistent financial practices across six operating locations. This role partners closely with Plant Controllers, Operations leadership, and the Corporate Finance & Accounting team to drive financial performance, standardize processes, and support strategic decision‑making.

In addition to core financial oversight, the Group Controller assists with payroll processing to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll operations across multiple facilities. This position requires a hands‑on, detail‑oriented leader who can navigate the fast‑paced, production‑driven environment of corrugated manufacturing while maintaining a high level of financial rigor.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Multi‑Plant Support

• Serve as the primary financial partner to Controllers at six corrugated manufacturing locations.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes across all plants, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Consolidate financial results and prepare group‑level reporting packages for executive leadership.
• Review plant‑level financials, identify variances, and provide actionable insights to improve operational and financial performance while ensuring requirements of 4-day close schedule.
• Identify opportunities and make recommendations to improve processes and shorten reporting timelines.
• Ensure alignment of accounting practices, cost standards, and internal controls across all locations.
• Monitor monthly journal entries and reconciliations for completeness and compliance to include monthly I/C reconciliations.
• Streamline financial processes for efficiency. Monitor and revise procedures to ensure adherence to external regulations and internal policies, accounting controls to prevent and detect errors and malfeasance, and conformity with sound accounting principles.

Manufacturing Cost Accounting & Operational Finance

• Support Plant Controllers with cost accounting, inventory valuation, internal audit requirements and variance analysis.
• Assist with external year-end audits, provide guidance and requested documentation and address findings to ensure closure. Analyze risk assessments from Audit letters and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Partner with Operations to evaluate production efficiency, waste, labor utilization, and other key manufacturing metrics.
• Lead initiatives to standardize financial processes, reporting tools, and KPIs across the group.
• Support implementation of new systems and processes (such as PO system, Travel & Expense system, etc.) across multiple plants.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Planning

• Support the annual budgeting process and regular forecasting processes for all six plants and corporate functions.
• Develop rolling forecasts and financial models to support strategic initiatives, capital planning, and capacity expansion.
• Collaborate with plant leadership to monitor performance against budget and identify improvement opportunities.

Payroll Processing & Compliance

• Assist the Sr. Payroll Manager with end‑to‑end payroll processing for all plant and corporate employees.
• Review payroll data for accuracy, proper cost center allocation, and compliance with internal controls.
• Support payroll tax filings, year‑end reporting, and regulatory requirements.
• Work with HR and plant leadership to maintain accurate employee records and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Ensure payroll practices comply with federal, state, and local labor laws, including manufacturing‑specific requirements (shift differentials, overtime rules, etc.).

Corporate Collaboration & Leadership

• Act as a key liaison between plant Controllers and the Corporate Finance & Accounting team.
• Provide mentorship, training, and support to plant‑level finance staff.
• Communicate financial insights clearly to both financial and non‑financial stakeholders.
• Support corporate initiatives such as system upgrades, process automation, and internal audit activities.

The proposed salary range for this position is $140,000-$150,000

Qualifications:

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA or CMA strongly preferred.

Experience

• 7+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, ideally within manufacturing; corrugated or paper/packaging industry experience strongly preferred.
• Multi‑plant or multi‑entity financial oversight experience.
• Hands‑on experience with payroll processing or payroll oversight.
• Strong background in cost accounting and manufacturing financial analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems common in manufacturing environments; payroll system experience (ADP, Paycom, UKG, etc.) is a plus.
• Prior supervisory or cross‑functional leadership experience preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep understanding of GAAP and manufacturing cost accounting principles.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex operational and financial data.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple plant‑level, time-bound priorities with tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills across diverse teams.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
• Commitment to confidentiality, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

Performance Indicators

• Accuracy and timeliness of consolidated financial reporting across all plants.
• Strength and consistency of internal controls and audit outcomes.
• Payroll accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across all locations.
• Improvement in plant‑level financial performance and cost visibility.
• Standardization and efficiency of financial processes across the group.
• Quality of collaboration with plant Controllers and corporate finance.
• Development and support of plant‑level finance teams.