Plant Controller (Florence, KY, US)

About the Role:

At Ferrero, the Plant Controller plays a pivotal role within the Finance function, ensuring the accuracy of industrial cost calculations and monitoring the performance of production factors. The role uses Ferrero’s internal systems, including SAP 4/HANA and HFM/SCOPE, to support reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and capital investment.

The Finance – Plant Controlling function ensures the accuracy, transparency, and strategic use of financial data related to manufacturing operations, enabling data-driven decisions across local and global teams. It supports the preparation of budgets, forecasts, variance analyses, and investment evaluations to strengthen production efficiency and financial compliance.

This role serves as the key Finance partner within the Florence Production Unit, translating operational performance into actionable financial insights. Reporting to the Cookie Industrial Controller Mgr and working closely with the Plant Manager, the Plant Controller leads cost control, budgeting, capital project analysis, and monthly closings while embedding financial rigor into daily plant operations.

Main Responsibilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or related field.

• Coordinate the preparation of the plant budget, including industrial cost standards (materials, labor, etc.).

• Analyze industrial costs, variances, and resource usage; prepare related reports.

• Support preparation and approval of capital project budgets and ROI evaluations

• Ensure timely and accurate monthly forecasts and Group submissions (Budget, SAF, etc.).

• Manage write-offs and obsolescence accrual processes.

• Oversee fixed asset management, including capitalization, stocktaking, and disposals.

• Ensure proper reporting into HFM/SCOPE and provide insights for multiple central functions.

• Maintain and update production models, technical codes, barcodes.

• Lead monthly closing activities and inventory reconciliation processes.

• Drive cost simulations, benchmarking, and efficiency improvement initiatives.

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or related field.

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in cost control, budgeting, and financial analysis in an industrial/manufacturing environment.

• Strong knowledge of production processes, standard costing, and SAP (including fixed asset management). Experience with capital project analysis, budgeting, and return on investment evaluations.

• Solid understanding of Ferrero’s financial systems, including HFM/SCOPE and Group Budgeting/Forecasting.

• Experience in managing or supervising a small team (direct and indirect reports).

• Strong analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to improve processes and reduce costs.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure As part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.

What We Offer:

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.

The base salary range for this position is $120,000 - 140,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.

In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.

About Ferrero:

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.

DE&I at Ferrero:

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding. Find out more here.

Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic.

Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.