Plant Controller / Senior Cost Controller
- voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak
- Chicago Heights, Illinois
- Full Time
Join Our Team at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak!
Embark on a rewarding career journey with voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, North America's premier designer and manufacturer of special trackwork. With a legacy spanning 160 years, we lead the industry in shaping the future of rail solutions. As part of the voestalpine Railway Systems global network, we are committed to delivering quality products and services, including rails, turnouts, fastening systems, signaling technologies, and monitoring solutions. Operating with a presence across Canada, the US, and Mexico, we prioritize the well-being of our people, global mobility, and sustainability and innovation.
Our people are the foundation of our success. Skilled, motivated, and results-driven individuals shape our culture demonstrating our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Curiosity, Courage, Passion, and Diversity each day. This commitment is more than shared values; it extends to shared responsibilities for safety and quality, showing genuine care for one another's growth and development, a commitment to our customers, and fostering strong relationships within the Nortrak Team and with our customers.
We are currently looking for a Plant Controller / Senior Cost Controller to join our team in Chicago Heights, IL.
PURPOSE OF POSITION
Reporting directly to the Vice President, Controlling, the Plant Controller/Senior Cost Accountant for vaRS Nortrak s facility located in Chicago Heights, IL, is responsible to perform and lead a variety of financial management and reporting responsibilities. You will work directly with the Plant Manager and report to the company s VP, Controlling.
TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Safety:
Complies with all Nortrak safety policies and regulations.
Financial Management and Reporting:
Complete month-end procedures and prepare internal management reports.
Analyze profitability by product, project, and customer.
Lead monthly financial reviews with the CFO, VP Controlling, Plant Manager, and other departments.
Support process improvement initiatives and assist with cost saving plans.
Perform profitability and cost analyses for a variety of projects, investments and products.
Assist decision making at a plant level with regular and ad-hoc analyses.
Prepare internal budgets and monitor actual results against budget.
Prepare quarterly revenue forecasts in collaboration with the production team.
Work closely with Purchasing, HR and Sales to optimize cost, pricing and overhead.
Inventory and costing:
Manage product costing in SAP and review standard costs on a monthly basis.
Review and reconcile labor reports and analyze actuals vs production benchmarks.
Monitor inventory costing, balance and movement.
Collaborate with Production Team in managing inventory counts and various operations.
Identify, investigate and resolve costing and labor variances with different groups.
Other:
Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies at the plant level.
Monitor vendor invoices, provide classification and address errors.
Monitor and resolve sales order issues with Sales and Account Managers.
Ad-hoc reporting and financial management tasks as required.
Support plant team with analytical and financial tasks.
Ensures all costing is current, accurate and complete. Continuously verifies estimated costs against actuals.
Manage deadlines and prioritize bids based on complexity, priority and risks
Cost:
Maintains knowledge of state-of-practice. Identifies and recommends cost effective material, design and process options.
Liaise with sub-trades for quotations and analyze quotes compared to historical data
Use financial and non-financial data to make informed assumptions for costing
People:
Build and nurture healthy working relationships with a wide range of employees.
Take interest and ownership of your responsibilities.
Participate and engage in different initiatives as needed.
Actively participate in production meetings to gain an understanding of products and manufacturing procedures.
Maintain and collaborate a good working relationship with other functions and divisions; in particular Sales
Perform peer-review on other estimators work and provide feedback
Eager to improve and support other estimators
Maintain and collaborate a good working relationship with other functions and divisions; in particular Sales
Perform peer-review on other estimators work and provide feedback
Eager to improve and support other estimators
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Adhere to Nortrak's Environmental Procedures, Practices and Policies.
QUALITIFCATIONS:
Education:
Undergraduate Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance or equivalent - CPA or CMA would be an asset but not required.
Minimum of 3+ years of accounting experience, ideally in manufacturing
Experience:
Experience with financial planning and analysis
Understanding of cost accounting methodologies
Ability to analyze financial and non-financial data and be able to clearly articulate opportunities for improvement and/or risk areas
Advanced Excel, Word and Power Point skills
Experience with ERP systems - ideally SAP
Strong analytical and interpersonal skills combined with sound professional judgement
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
PHYSICAL DEMANDS WHEN AT MANUFACTURING FACILITIES:
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; occasional standing and walking for your scheduled shift.
Must remain stationary for extended periods and move throughout the building to access files.
Must work effectively in a noisy environment.
Ability to lift and move equipment or objects up to 20-25 pounds occasionally.
Visual requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Occasional travel required, involving walking, standing, sitting, and driving for varying durations.
Frequent use of hands and arms for dialing phones and using a computer mouse.
Benefits:
A supportive, family oriented Nortrak Blue culture
We provide an environment where Health and Safety is our #1 priority
Career development opportunities and competitive pay progression
Competitive medical, dental & vision benefits
Company paid life and disability insurance
Paid holidays and vacation
Retirement plan with matching contributions
Tuition Assistance Program
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Recognition Programs
WORKING LOCATION:
Chicago Heights, IL
salary:
$70,000/year - $100,000/year
If you think you have the necessary qualifications and drive to excel in our team, we invite you to apply now and join us at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak. Apply today!
voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak ( Nortrak ) is a subsidiary of voestalpine AG ( www.voestalpine.com ) one of Europe s premier steel producers with over 50,000 employees worldwide. Nortrak is closely affiliated with voestalpine s Railway Systems group which operates in 21 countries across the globe to provide cutting edge system-based solutions to railroads and transits. Our website is
voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, and any other federal, state, or locally protected classifications.
INDHP
#ZR
Embark on a rewarding career journey with voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, North America's premier designer and manufacturer of special trackwork. With a legacy spanning 160 years, we lead the industry in shaping the future of rail solutions. As part of the voestalpine Railway Systems global network, we are committed to delivering quality products and services, including rails, turnouts, fastening systems, signaling technologies, and monitoring solutions. Operating with a presence across Canada, the US, and Mexico, we prioritize the well-being of our people, global mobility, and sustainability and innovation.
Our people are the foundation of our success. Skilled, motivated, and results-driven individuals shape our culture demonstrating our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Curiosity, Courage, Passion, and Diversity each day. This commitment is more than shared values; it extends to shared responsibilities for safety and quality, showing genuine care for one another's growth and development, a commitment to our customers, and fostering strong relationships within the Nortrak Team and with our customers.
We are currently looking for a Plant Controller / Senior Cost Controller to join our team in Chicago Heights, IL.
PURPOSE OF POSITION
Reporting directly to the Vice President, Controlling, the Plant Controller/Senior Cost Accountant for vaRS Nortrak s facility located in Chicago Heights, IL, is responsible to perform and lead a variety of financial management and reporting responsibilities. You will work directly with the Plant Manager and report to the company s VP, Controlling.
TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Safety:
Complies with all Nortrak safety policies and regulations.
Financial Management and Reporting:
Complete month-end procedures and prepare internal management reports.
Analyze profitability by product, project, and customer.
Lead monthly financial reviews with the CFO, VP Controlling, Plant Manager, and other departments.
Support process improvement initiatives and assist with cost saving plans.
Perform profitability and cost analyses for a variety of projects, investments and products.
Assist decision making at a plant level with regular and ad-hoc analyses.
Prepare internal budgets and monitor actual results against budget.
Prepare quarterly revenue forecasts in collaboration with the production team.
Work closely with Purchasing, HR and Sales to optimize cost, pricing and overhead.
Inventory and costing:
Manage product costing in SAP and review standard costs on a monthly basis.
Review and reconcile labor reports and analyze actuals vs production benchmarks.
Monitor inventory costing, balance and movement.
Collaborate with Production Team in managing inventory counts and various operations.
Identify, investigate and resolve costing and labor variances with different groups.
Other:
Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies at the plant level.
Monitor vendor invoices, provide classification and address errors.
Monitor and resolve sales order issues with Sales and Account Managers.
Ad-hoc reporting and financial management tasks as required.
Support plant team with analytical and financial tasks.
Ensures all costing is current, accurate and complete. Continuously verifies estimated costs against actuals.
Manage deadlines and prioritize bids based on complexity, priority and risks
Cost:
Maintains knowledge of state-of-practice. Identifies and recommends cost effective material, design and process options.
Liaise with sub-trades for quotations and analyze quotes compared to historical data
Use financial and non-financial data to make informed assumptions for costing
People:
Build and nurture healthy working relationships with a wide range of employees.
Take interest and ownership of your responsibilities.
Participate and engage in different initiatives as needed.
Actively participate in production meetings to gain an understanding of products and manufacturing procedures.
Maintain and collaborate a good working relationship with other functions and divisions; in particular Sales
Perform peer-review on other estimators work and provide feedback
Eager to improve and support other estimators
Maintain and collaborate a good working relationship with other functions and divisions; in particular Sales
Perform peer-review on other estimators work and provide feedback
Eager to improve and support other estimators
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Adhere to Nortrak's Environmental Procedures, Practices and Policies.
QUALITIFCATIONS:
Education:
Undergraduate Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance or equivalent - CPA or CMA would be an asset but not required.
Minimum of 3+ years of accounting experience, ideally in manufacturing
Experience:
Experience with financial planning and analysis
Understanding of cost accounting methodologies
Ability to analyze financial and non-financial data and be able to clearly articulate opportunities for improvement and/or risk areas
Advanced Excel, Word and Power Point skills
Experience with ERP systems - ideally SAP
Strong analytical and interpersonal skills combined with sound professional judgement
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
PHYSICAL DEMANDS WHEN AT MANUFACTURING FACILITIES:
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; occasional standing and walking for your scheduled shift.
Must remain stationary for extended periods and move throughout the building to access files.
Must work effectively in a noisy environment.
Ability to lift and move equipment or objects up to 20-25 pounds occasionally.
Visual requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Occasional travel required, involving walking, standing, sitting, and driving for varying durations.
Frequent use of hands and arms for dialing phones and using a computer mouse.
Benefits:
A supportive, family oriented Nortrak Blue culture
We provide an environment where Health and Safety is our #1 priority
Career development opportunities and competitive pay progression
Competitive medical, dental & vision benefits
Company paid life and disability insurance
Paid holidays and vacation
Retirement plan with matching contributions
Tuition Assistance Program
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Recognition Programs
WORKING LOCATION:
Chicago Heights, IL
salary:
$70,000/year - $100,000/year
If you think you have the necessary qualifications and drive to excel in our team, we invite you to apply now and join us at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak. Apply today!
voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak ( Nortrak ) is a subsidiary of voestalpine AG ( www.voestalpine.com ) one of Europe s premier steel producers with over 50,000 employees worldwide. Nortrak is closely affiliated with voestalpine s Railway Systems group which operates in 21 countries across the globe to provide cutting edge system-based solutions to railroads and transits. Our website is
voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, and any other federal, state, or locally protected classifications.
INDHP
#ZR
Job ID: 523667784
Originally Posted on: 6/4/2026