Plant controlling lead

About the Role

The Plant Controlling Lead will be a key finance business partner to plant operations, responsible for establishing and managing financial controlling processes for a new manufacturing facility. This role ensures accurate cost management, performance tracking, and supports operational decision-making during the plant ramp-up and stabilization phase.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly closing, forecasting, and budgeting processes for plant operations.
• Prepare and analyze plant P&L, focusing on cost drivers and variance analysis.
• Establish and maintain standard costing for material, labor, and overhead.
• Analyze manufacturing variances (price, usage, efficiency, absorption) and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Monitor and control startup costs (scrap, inefficiency, training, ramp-up losses) and support break-even analysis.
• Ensure proper cost allocation and financial structure during early stages of the plant.
• Monitor capital expenditures vs. budget; ensure timely capitalization of assets (CIP → Fixed assets) and track depreciation and asset utilization.
• Manage inventory levels and Days on Hand (DOH); identify risks related to excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory and collaborate with supply chain to optimize inventory management.
• Develop and monitor key operational KPIs (yield, scrap, OEE, utilization) and translate operational performance into financial impact.
• Act as finance business partner to the Plant Manager and functional teams, supporting decision-making with financial insights and analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; MBA or CPA preferred.
• 8–12 years of experience in finance controlling, preferably in manufacturing and plant/operations finance.
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting and manufacturing finance.
• Experience with ERP systems; SAP CO-PC and COPA preferred.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, ambiguous startup environment.

Skills

• Cost accounting and manufacturing finance.
• ERP systems (SAP CO-PC, COPA preferred).
• Financial reporting, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Inventory and working capital control.
• KPI development and performance management.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to lead a high-impact technical center and work with global teams on cutting-edge technology.
• On-the-job and formal training, plus educational assistance.
• Diverse and inclusive workplace serving semiconductor, electronics, and specialty industrial markets.

Additional Information

• Certain positions may be subject to export control regulations and access to controlled goods; applicants may be limited by citizenship, origin, or immigration status where required by law.
• We conduct background checks and drug screens in accordance with applicable law and company policies.
• We generally hire candidates who reside in states where MKS is registered to do business.
• MKS is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations; for accommodation requests contact accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com.