Plant Controller

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

The Plant Controller/ Finance Business Partner is responsible for transforming financial data into actionable insights that drive site performance and align with Kerry’s strategic goals. This role provides critical support in decision-making and challenges key initiatives to ensure that operational, commercial, and financial targets are met. The Plant Controller plays a crucial part in enhancing Kerry’s position as a trusted partner to its customers, in line with the Integrated Operations strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Integrated Operations function in the financially sustainable delivery of Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, and QHSE strategies, ensuring industry-leading performance aligned with the company’s goals.
• Promote and implement best practices, standards, and policies to enhance the effectiveness of Kerry’s Integrated Operations.
• Performance Reporting: Own the monthly performance closing and reporting for the site, ensuring timely and accurate communication with relevant stakeholders.
• Risk Management: Monitor site performance (Actuals), identifying risks and issues, and escalate these to the Site Management and Cluster Controller.
• Strategic Leadership: Provide leadership and input on strategic initiatives that influence long-term growth priorities and site direction.
• Performance Management: Collaborate with Site Management and teams to continuously review and improve performance metrics.
• Financial Oversight: Influence key financial decisions at the site by providing well-informed, data-driven insights, and fostering strong, credible relationships.
• Process Improvement: Partner with GBS teams to implement finance best practices and identify opportunities for process standardization and simplification.
• Costing Insights: Work closely with BU/commercial finance teams to provide accurate product/process costing insights.
• Partner with Site Managers to deliver financial analysis and insights that drive operational efficiency.
• Leverage FP&A and KBS support for standardized reporting and performance measurement for the site.
• Act as the accountable signatory for the site’s budget and forecast, ensuring timely completion in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Support site efficiency initiatives, ensuring progress towards targets and deadlines is consistently tracked and reported.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders on investment decisions and business case development.
• Oversee site-specific strategic projects, ensuring alignment with overall business goals.
• Manage product/process costing, ensuring accurate reflection of manufacturing costs, and collaborate with business and process teams to address any discrepancies.
• Ensure adherence to Kerry’s risk and control policies, particularly in the areas of fixed assets and inventory controls.
   

Qualifications and skills

• PQE – ACCA, CIMA, or ACA qualification is preferred.
• Experience with SAP (ECC & EPM) is advantageous.
• Previous experience in a Manufacturing or Supply Chain environment
• Strong language skills in Spanish and English
• International experience, with exposure to regional and global stakeholders, is highly desirable.
• Project management experience is beneficial.
• Strong analytical mindset with excellent attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organisational, prioritisation, and time management skills, especially in managing multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.