Plant Controlling Lead

A Day in Life at MKS|Atotech

The Plant controlling lead will be a key business partner to plant operations, responsible for establishing and managing financial controlling processes for a new manufacturing facility. This role ensures accurate cost management, performance tracking, and supports operational decision-making during the plant ramp-up and stabilization phase.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Controlling & Reporting

• Lead monthly closing, forecasting, and budgeting processes for plant operations
• Prepare and analyze plant P&L, focusing on cost drivers and variance analysis
• Provide timely and accurate financial reports to management and HQ

Cost Management & Variance Analysis

• Establish and maintain standard costing (material, labor, overhead)
• Analyze manufacturing variances (price, usage, efficiency, absorption)
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive cost optimization initiatives

New Plant Setup & Startup Management

• Monitor and control startup costs (scrap, inefficiency, training, ramp-up losses)
• Track plant ramp-up performance and support break-even analysis
• Ensure proper cost allocation and financial structure during early stages

Capex & Asset Management

• Monitor capital expenditures vs. budget
• Ensure timely capitalization of assets (CIP → Fixed assets)
• Track asset utilization and depreciation

Inventory & Working Capital Control

• Manage inventory levels and monitor DOH (Days on Hand)
• Identify risks related to excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory
• Collaborate with supply chain to optimize inventory management

KPI & Performance Management

• Develop and monitor key operational KPIs (yield, scrap, OEE, utilization)
• Translate operational performance into financial impact
• Drive performance improvement initiatives with operations

Business Partnering

• Act as a finance business partner to Plant Manager and functional teams
• Support decision-making with financial insights and analysis
• Collaborate closely with production, engineering, and supply chain teams

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field (MBA/CPA preferred)
• 8–12 years of experience in finance controlling, preferably in manufacturing
• Strong experience in plant finance or operations finance

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of cost accounting and manufacturing finance
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP CO-PC, COPA preferred)
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, ambiguous startup environment

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact technical center, work with global teams, and contribute to cutting-edge technology development while ensuring safety and compliance at the highest standards

Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to various export control regulations.  Applicants for these positions may be limited (by, for example, their countries of citizenship, country of origin, or immigration status) where required by law or governmental contact, and/or employment made contingent upon the issuance of appropriate governmental licensing.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies.  MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: [email protected] .

If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role