Plant Controller - Ajinomoto Foods North America

The Controller is responsible for direction and guidance for all plant accounting functions, in accordance with corporate and GAAP guidelines. The Controller prepares financial reports and renders advice & assistance to management teams regarding the plant’s financial affairs. The Controller works directly with the plant’s General Manager and Senior Director Operations Finance to drive operational financial performance. Provides oversight on plant financials. Directs and leads the accounting department. Ensures Company assets are properly safeguarded.

• Directs and has functional responsibility for accounting activities; provides technical guidance, leadership, and direction to direct reports and management staff regarding the financial management of the business.
• Oversees communication, implementation, and administration of accounting policies and procedures essential to the maintenance of adequate internal control of operations; implements internal systems to improve efficiency of operations.
• Prepares and administers department budget; exercises general direction over the preparation of the plant’s annual budgets and capital expenditure plans; monitors performance against budgeted targets; formulates and recommends specific courses of action to resolve problems areas.
• Directs the preparation and presentation of the plant’s financial information to the General Manager; ensures all data is accurately and uniformly recorded and reported to properly represent the plant’s financial position.
• Conducts studies and analyses of internal financial data; interprets and reports to management significant events and practices having an impact on business operations.
• Participates in the formulation of short term and long-range financial goals and objectives; analyzes financial aspects of strategies and plans and makes specific recommendations which will result in cost reductions and profit improvement.
• Supervises maintenance of ledgers, inventory records of raw materials, packaging, and finished goods and related accounting reports, files and documents; ensures all accounting functions are performed accurately and on a timely basis, in accordance with JSOX.
• Special and/ or annual projects will require longer than normal business hours.
• Represents the Company in dealings with vendors and/ or government agencies, as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting, or related field. MBA preferred.
• Five (5) to eight (8) or more years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience in a high-paced manufacturing environment. Experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Broad business experience, preferred experience in cost accounting. Mastery of balance sheets, profit & loss statement, and cash flow.
• Ability to build relationships with others, to lead and direct the work of others and themselves.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with Expert level skills in Excel and Power Point. Knowledge of ERP systems and JD Edwards preferred.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively present information to management, public groups, and /or boards of directors.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make sound recommendations.
• Must be self-motivated, results oriented, possess a high degree of initiative and work well under pressure.
• Ability to select, lead, coach, influence, motivate, develop, engage and retain a team of employees.