Plant Controller

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive.

Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people. 

Reporting to the Area Controller, the Plant Controller is responsible for leading all financial and controllership activities for the assigned manufacturing facility. This position serves as a key business partner to plant leadership by providing financial analysis, operational insights, and guidance to support decision-making and drive plant performance.

The Plant Controller is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and company policies, supporting internal controls, managing month-end close activities, overseeing inventory controls, and providing financial leadership for the facility. The role requires a strong understanding of manufacturing operations and the ability to translate operational results into meaningful financial insights.

Travel is an essential requirement of the role as the Plant Controller is expected to maintain a visible presence within the facility, actively engage with operations leadership, and support initiatives that improve productivity, profitability, and operational effectiveness.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead all accounting, reporting, and controllership activities for the assigned manufacturing facility.
• Serve as the primary financial business partner to the Plant Manager and plant leadership team, providing financial guidance and operational insights.
• Supervise accountants and finance team members in preparing analyses and reports related to production performance, payroll, inventory, month-end close, and other financial activities.
• Review financial data and transactions for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), company policies, and internal control requirements.
• Execute and oversee accounting processes including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger accounting, fixed assets, inventory accounting, and support for treasury, tax, and trade compliance activities.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and other financial transactions to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Prepare, consolidate, and analyze monthly financial results, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reporting.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate completion of all reporting requirements.
• Monitor and analyze manufacturing variances, labor efficiency, material usage, overhead absorption, and operational KPIs to identify risks and opportunities.
• Analyze plant operational performance by product line, machine, department, shift, or other key business drivers and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes for the facility.
• Coordinate and oversee physical inventory counts and cycle count programs while ensuring inventory accuracy and compliance with company policies.
• Drive process improvements, automation initiatives, and reporting enhancements that improve efficiency, controls, and decision-making.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of audit observations and recommendations.
• Partner with Operations, Human Resources, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, and other functional teams to support business objectives.
• Build and maintain strong employee relationships while providing leadership, coaching, development, performance feedback, and succession planning for finance team members.
• Identify and escalate financial risks, control deficiencies, and compliance concerns while recommending corrective actions.
• Support capital expenditure planning, project analysis, and post-investment reviews.
• Participate in strategic initiatives, continuous improvement efforts, and business transformation projects as required.
• Communicate plant financial performance, key risks, opportunities, and action plans to plant, regional, and corporate leadership teams.

This position can be located in either Milwaukee or DeForest, WI.

We would love to hear from you if:

• You have a minimum of a four-year degree
• Experience as a Plant Controller/Administrative Manager

Working Conditions

This position is based at the assigned manufacturing facility and requires regular interaction with plant operations personnel. The Plant Controller is expected to maintain an active presence on the production floor and build strong working relationships with plant leadership and employees to support operational and financial objectives.

Compensation: 

The annual base salary range for this role is from $107,760 to $121,230, plus annual target bonus of 7.5% of base salary. 

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We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.