Plant Controller / Cost Controller

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak

. Complete month-end procedures and prepare internal management reports .

Posted 11/7/2026full-timeChicago Heights • Illinois • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $70,000 - $100,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in financial planning and analysis, cost accounting methodologies, and profitability analysis. Proficient in managing budgets, conducting variance analysis, and collaborating across departments to optimize financial performance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Financial Planning And AnalysisCost Accounting MethodologiesSAP ERP ExperienceAdvanced Excel SkillsAccounting Experience In Manufacturing

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Profitability AnalysisCost AnalysisBudget PreparationVariance AnalysisInventory CostingFinancial ReportingData AnalysisCosting ManagementRevenue ForecastingProcess Improvement

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsInterpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsProfessional JudgmentCollaboration

Tools & Technologies

SAPExcelWordPowerPoint

Certifications & Qualifications

CPACMA

Industry Keywords

ManufacturingCost-Saving InitiativesInternal Policies ComplianceVendor ManagementProduction Benchmarking

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

ERP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Complete month-end procedures and prepare internal management reports
Analyze profitability by product, project, and customer
Lead monthly financial reviews with the CFO, VP Controlling, Plant Manager, and other departments
Support process improvement initiatives and cost-saving plans
Perform profitability and cost analyses for projects, investments, and products
Support plant-level decision-making with regular and ad-hoc analyses
Prepare internal budgets and monitor actual results against budget
Prepare quarterly revenue forecasts with the production team
Collaborate with Purchasing, HR, Sales, and Production to optimize cost, pricing, overhead, and inventory
Manage product costing in SAP and review standard costs monthly
Review and reconcile labor reports and analyze actuals against production benchmarks
Monitor inventory costing, balance, and movement
Identify, investigate, and resolve costing and labor variances
Monitor vendor invoices, classify them, and address errors
Monitor and resolve sales order issues with Sales and Account Managers
Ensure costing is current, accurate, and complete
Verify estimated costs against actuals
Manage deadlines and prioritize bids based on complexity, priority, and risks
Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies at the plant level
Identify and recommend cost-effective material, design, and process options
Liaise with sub-trades for quotations and analyze quotes against historical data
Participate in production meetings and peer-review other estimators’ work
Adhere to Nortrak safety and environmental procedures
Report directly to the Vice President, Controlling, and work directly with the Plant Manager

Requirements

What you’ll need

Undergraduate Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance or equivalent
Minimum of 3+ years of accounting experience, ideally in manufacturing
Experience with financial planning and analysis
Understanding of cost accounting methodologies
Ability to analyze financial and non-financial data and clearly articulate opportunities for improvement and/or risk areas
Advanced Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills
Experience with ERP systems, ideally SAP
Strong analytical and interpersonal skills combined with sound professional judgment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work effectively in a noisy manufacturing environment
Ability to lift and move equipment or objects up to 20–25 pounds occasionally
Occasional travel required
CPA or CMA would be an asset but not required

Benefits

Comp & perks

A supportive, family oriented Nortrak Blue culture
Career development opportunities and competitive pay progression
Competitive medical, dental & vision benefits
Company paid life and disability insurance
Paid holidays and vacation
Retirement plan with matching contributions
Tuition Assistance Program
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Recognition Programs
Health and Safety priority