Plant Operations Controller

Operations Controller – Assumption Plant

Location: Assumption, IllinoisReports to: Finance Director – North America Grain

Role Overview

Grain & Protein Technologies (GPT) is a complex, global portfolio of agribusinesses operating across five distinct business segments, with manufacturing in 20 locations across 11 countries and revenues exceeding $1.2B. GPT is at a pivotal stage in its growth journey, with a defined operating agenda designed to double EBITDA organically and again through transformative M&A. These are exciting times to join GPT.

As Operations Controller for the Assumption Plant – the largest within GPT – you will be a critical member of the plant leadership team, driving financial strategy, operational efficiency, and business performance across a dynamic and complex manufacturing facility. You will partner directly with the Plant Operations Director and the Finance Director, North America Grain, to deliver strong financial results while helping shape the future of a manufacturing facility that is critical to GPT’s success.

This role requires a balance of strategic acumen and hands-on execution and is ideally suited for a well-rounded finance professional with deep expertise in operational finance and cost accounting. You will lead plant financial analysis, oversee operational finance activities, and provide actionable insights that enable smarter decision-making in plant operations, labor planning, working capital management, and capital investment. You will also play a highly visible role across the plant and broader organization, driving accountability and execution through strong financial governance and data-driven leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Finance

Partner with the plant Operations Director as the financial leader responsible for delivery of the plant’s cost, shipments, working capital, and production efficiency objectives.

Provide financial leadership to support the plant’s transformational strategic operating agenda and long-term value creation goals.

Prepare, analyze, and present standard and ad-hoc financial reports to the plant as well as North America Grain and Company leadership, ensuring accuracy and clarity.

Evaluate business assumptions, assess risks, and identify variances and provide explanations versus forecasts and prior periods.

Lead forecasting, annual operating plans, and long-range financial planning for the plant.

Oversee working capital optimization to support growth and profitability.

Maintain a robust controls environment at the plant

Be an active participant in the site’s SIOP process; challenge assumptions and guide decision making using data and analytics while ensuring alignment between SIOP and financials (forecasts, AOP, etc.)

Performance Management & Analytics

Programmatic review of plant financial performance and key operating KPIs, including detailed analysis of standard cost variances, manufacturing productivity, and cost drivers.  Partner with plant leadership to strengthen cost controls and improve gross margins by identifying, quantifying, and actioning financial risks and opportunities.

Investigate and resolve plant financial performance issues through proactive collaboration with plant operating team, driving accountability and continuous improvement in cost, productivity, and profitability.

Develop and evaluate business cases for plant operational changes / improvements and capital investments.

Process Improvement & Governance

Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing manual work, strengthening controls, improving data quality, and increasing the effectiveness of financial reporting and analysis.

Serve as a leader within the plant controller network by sharing best practices, promoting standard methodologies, and driving adoption of efficient and scalable work processes and automated reporting tools.

Enhance the use of systems (SAP, OneStream, Power BI) for more efficient reporting, forecasting, and decision-making.

Leadership & Collaboration

Mentor, coach, and help develop professionals across the GPT Finance team to build a strong, performance-driven finance organization.

Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, supply chain, and commercial teams to drive action on operating agenda.

Grow and improve the financial acumen of the plant operations team to enable more informed decision making within the plant at every level.

Education & Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field (required).

MBA (preferred).

CPA, CMA, or other relevant certification (a plus).

Minimum of 7 years of finance leadership experience in manufacturing, agribusiness, or other industrial settings.

Skills & Experience

Proven success financially managing a complex manufacturing facility and partnering with an operations team to deliver results at or above expectations.

Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with expertise in financial modeling, cost accounting, and manufacturing performance management.

Proficiency in SAP, OneStream, and Power BI.

Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and drive results across organizational boundaries.

Why Join GPT

At GPT, you’ll be part of a purpose-driven, values-led organization with a high-performance culture and a clear vision for growth. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the financial and operational future of a $1.2B global leader in agribusiness—working alongside an accomplished leadership team, private equity professionals, and world-class talent.

Expect challenging work, extensive collaboration, and deeply rewarding professional growth – supported by competitive base compensation and variable incentive compensation.  Expected annual salary for this role will be $90,000 – $150,000, plus annual bonus eligibility. This is dependent upon job related knowledge, experience, and skills.

Benefits will include the ability to elect health care and wellness plans, dental and vision plans, flexible and virtual work options (where available), 401(k) Savings Plan with company match, paid holidays, paid time off, health savings and flexible spending accounts, reimbursement for continuing education, life insurance, and other supplemental insurance plans.

If you’re an ambitious finance leader ready to make a lasting impact and help take GPT from good to great, we invite you to join us at this exciting inflection point in our journey.