Controller in Illinois City, Illinois at EBS Recruiters LLC

The Controller is responsible for overseeing all accounting and financial operations within a manufacturing environment, including cost accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, inventory management, and internal controls. This role partners closely with operations leadership to drive profitability, improve efficiencies, ensure compliance, and provide financial insights that support strategic business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all plant-level accounting functions, including general ledger, cost accounting, inventory valuation, and month-end close
• Analyze production costs, labor, materials, and operational expenses to identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiency improvements
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements, variance analyses, and key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Partner with leadership to develop annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans
• Maintain and improve standard costing processes and systems
• Oversee inventory controls, physical counts, and reconciliation of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal policies, and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate external audits and support internal audit activities
• Develop and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard company assets
• Provide financial analysis and support for capital projects, maintenance planning, and operational initiatives
• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting staff as needed
• Drive process improvements and continuous improvement initiatives across the finance function

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA or CMA preferred
• 5–10+ years of accounting or finance experience, preferably within manufacturing or other production-based environments
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, inventory accounting, and standard costing
• Experience in commodity-based, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, food processing, or similar industries preferred
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel skills (SAP B1 preferred)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities
• Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, procurement, and executive leadership teams

Key Competencies

• Financial analysis and strategic thinking
• Cost accounting and operational finance expertise
• Process improvement and continuous improvement mindset
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Cross-functional leadership and partnership skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, production-driven environment