Jobs › Silgan

Plant Controller

Silgan · Champaign, IL · $92,000–$110,000 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Apply at Silgan

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you partnered with operations to cut manufacturing costs.

What they are checking: Whether they act as a business partner on the floor, not just a reporter of numbers.

Tell me about a time you explained financial results to non-finance managers.

What they are checking: Whether they make numbers clear and useful for operations leaders.

What would you do

The plant manager wants to delay recording an expense to hit this quarter's numbers. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they protect accounting integrity even under pressure from plant leadership.

How do you handle month-end close when corporate deadlines are tight?

What they are checking: Whether they run an organized close with clear tasks and reviews to meet deadlines accurately.

About the work

Walk me through how you set standard costs for a manufacturing plant.

What they are checking: Whether they understand material, labor and overhead rates and how standards drive inventory valuation.

Your plant shows a large unfavorable material variance this month. How do you figure out why?

What they are checking: Whether they can dig into price versus usage and work with operations to find the real cause.

How do you run a physical inventory, and what do you do with big adjustments?

What they are checking: Whether they control counts carefully and investigate adjustments before booking them.

How do you build a plant budget and forecast when volumes are uncertain?

What they are checking: Whether they use volume drivers and flexible budgeting rather than fixed guesses.

What internal controls would you check first at a plant you just joined?

What they are checking: Whether they know key risks like inventory, payroll, purchasing and capital spending.

How would you evaluate a capital request for a new piece of equipment?

What they are checking: Whether they can assess payback and risk and challenge assumptions in a fair way.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Silgan from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Silgan.

Plant Controller – Manufacturing | Silgan Closures | Champaign, IL Stability. Innovation. Industry Leader. – We Are Silgan. Silgan Closures is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Plant Controller for our Champaign, IL manufacturing facility. This role leads plant accounting, manufacturing finance, cost accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, inventory control, standard costing, variance analysis, and internal controls.As a key member of the plant leadership team, the Plant Controller partners with Operations and corporate leadership to improve financial performance, control manufacturing costs, safeguard company assets, and drive operational excellence. What we offer you: · • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance· • Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, and disability coverage· • Salary range : $92,000 - $110,000 based on experience· • 401(k) with company match· • Paid vacation and holidays· • Tuition reimbursement· • Voluntary benefits, including pet insurance, legal plans, identity protection· • Employee engagement events and team-building activities · • Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement · • Stable employment with global industry leader What you'll do: • Financial Reporting & Manufacturing Finance • Analyze and report monthly financial results to plant and corporate leadership • Support month-end close, financial reporting, account reconciliations, and variance analysis • Prepare annual budgets, monthly forecasts, operating plans, and strategic financial plans • Monitor key plant financial metrics and performance indicators • Provide financial analysis to support manufacturing operations and business decisions • Support capital expenditure planning and investment analysis • Maintain strong financial controls, purchasing controls, and internal controls • Cost Accounting & Inventory Management • Manage manufacturing cost accounting, standard costing, and bills of material • Analyze labor, material, manufacturing overhead, distribution costs, returns, and inventory • Lead physical inventories and monthly inventory audits • Investigating inventory and manufacturing cost variances • Reconcile and maintain accurate perpetual inventory records • Analyze excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory • Leadership & Continuous Improvement · Lead, coach, and develop accounting team members • • Improve accounting processes, reporting efficiency, inventory accuracy, and financial controls • Partner with plant leadership on cost reduction, profitability, and operational improvements • Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement • undefined • Plant Partnership • Participate in daily production meetings as a member of the plant leadership team • Partner with Operations on production costs, manufacturing efficiency, inventory, and financial performance Provide financial insight and recommendations to support plant objectives Safety & Food Safety ·Support all company safety initiatives and promote safe work practices Identify and address workplace safety concerns Maintain compliance with applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Food Safety, and HACCP requirements You'll need to have: • Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field • Minimum 5 years of progressive manufacturing accounting experience· • Strong background in: Manufacturing Cost accounting Stand Costing Financial reporting Budgeting and forecasting Variance analysis Inventory control and reconciliation Internal Controls • Experience supervising, coaching, and developing employees • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills • Ability to partner effectively with manufacturing operations and corporate teams Preferred: CPA, CMA, or MBA Previous Plant Controller or Manufacturing Controller experience Experience with JD Edwards, SAP, Oracle, or similar manufacturing ERP systems ERP implementation or system conversion experience Multi-site manufacturing experience Knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and internal controls Why Join Silgan Closures? Fortune 500 packaging leader with a global manufacturing presence Provider of sustainable metal and plastic packaging solutions Strong commitment to safety, innovation, sustainability, and employee development Collaborative manufacturing environment where you can make an immediate impact Long-standing reputation for stability, growth, and operational excellence Apply Now! Bring your manufacturing finance, plant accounting, cost accounting, and leadership experience to Silgan Closures and help drive financial and operational performance at our Champaign, IL facility. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status. Silgan is a drug-free workplace. EEO/M/W/Vet/Disability

Apply at Silgan