Factory Controller

General Information:

This role is responsible for developing business models while optimizing the financial performance within the Crystal Springs, MS location. The role reports to the factory manager and supports effective business decisions by preparing, monitoring, analyzing, and interpreting financial data to evaluate various business alternatives and recommend the most appropriate business solutions. This position helps drive definition and implementation of standards and business specific guidelines in financial control processes.

Your Responsibilities:

• Strategy: Contribute to the definition of the strategy for the business unit.  Serves as the key partner for the Factory Manager for areas of responsibility and developing business models, aligning wider strategy, implementing, and marketing adjustments in implementation as needed.  Maintains constant contact with relevant other managers and Controllers regarding financial, market and customer situation, and outlook.
• Business Planning and Forecasting: Translates strategy into business plans and establishes measurable targets.  Oversees the business planning and forecasting processes for the area of responsibility and serves as the interface to the HUB / Region / Global Functions / Global BU.  Evaluates financial implications of various strategic decisions, builds scenarios, and recommend actions.
• Business Performance: Monitors progress achieved and provides insight and analysis to support operational decision-making. Identifies issues and advises management on action plans and operational strategies. Drives appropriate cost structure, productivity optimization, and capital efficiency. Manages and closely monitors the cash flow and takes action to improve Net Working Capital.
• Risk Management:  Assesses business risk exposure and defines risk mitigation strategies to reduce impact on business performance. Ensures risk management processes are consistently implemented in own area of responsibility. Identifies and communicates commercial and financial risks and opportunities from business propositions.
• Optimization:  Leads cross-functional initiatives that support strategic goals. Drives definition and implementation of global standards and business specific guidelines to ensure continuous improvement in the financial control process within own area of responsibility.
• Financial reporting:  Establishes and oversees processes and tools necessary to obtain transparent and reliable financial data and business information. Ensures high quality of financial data and business information in line with defined standards and financial closing schedules.
• Communication and Knowledge Sharing:  Leads, provides guidance and facilitates best practice sharing between Local Business Controllers within own area of responsibility to ensure alignment and consistency of controlling practices. Ensures timely and efficient communication with relevant Local/HUB/Region/Global Function/Global BU Controllers, and other internal customers to identify and discuss issues for improvement of operations, work quality and efficiency for area of responsibility.
• Internal Controls and Compliance:  Ensures transparency in financial reporting and disclosures. Defines and implements internal controls regarding financial and non-financial operations. Ensures compliance with corporate and region standards, regulations, and guidelines. Supports internal and external audits. Signs off Assurance letter for the area of responsibility.
• Complexity of Tasks: Overall management of financial operations entails challenging tasks including providing sound business advice on major projects, implementing cost initiatives while maintaining quality, improving customer satisfaction, and resolving problems involving highly controversial financial issues. Strong interpersonal skills required to successfully implement policies and negotiate on matters that may substantially impact profits, and current and future business of the factory plant.
• People Leadership & Development:  Ensures (with HR Manager support) that the area of responsibility is organized, staffed, skilled and directed. Guides, motivates, and develops direct/indirect subordinates within HR policies.
• Living Hitachi Energy’s core values of safety and integrity, which means taking responsibility for your own actions while caring for your colleagues and the business.

Your Background:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance or related field and 10-15 years of progressive experience including 5-7 years manufacturing cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment and ideally in project environment. Post graduate degree, MBA or CPA is preferred SAP knowledge preferred Prior experience in a large multi-national matrixed organization is beneficial.
• Candidate must already have work authorization that would permit them to work for Hitachi Energy in the United States.
• Broad knowledge of diverse financial functions in manufacturing, product delivery and project delivery business models as well as general business.
• Exceptional analytical, decision making and planning skills plus the ability to be strategic leader and innovator.
• Bias for actions and results Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple priorities with tight timelines Ability to deliver accurate information and financial reports and insights: month end, quarter end, yearend, budget, projects and sensitivity analysis, profit analysis, make or buy analysis, cost models, proposals, etc. - as a lead and/or participant and/or contributor Efficient communicator: presenting and sharing information with colleagues and management in a concise and clear manner Team player: Supporting the factory objectives and being a business partner Supervisory or management experience required.