Plant Controller

Location: Canton of Bern, Switzerland
Industry: Manufacturing / Production
Languages: Business-level German and English required; Swiss German is an advantage

Are you a finance professional who enjoys understanding how a business operates, investigating the details behind the numbers and contributing to better commercial decisions?

Our client, an international manufacturing company based in the Canton of Bern, is looking for a Plant Controller to join its finance team. This is an opportunity for someone with strong accounting fundamentals and an interest in production controlling who wants to develop into a broader finance leadership role.

You will work closely with the current manager during a structured handover, learning the plant’s financial processes, systems and business operations. 

• Develop your career: Build towards a senior controlling or finance management position, with potential for progression as you grow into the role.
• Learn directly from an experienced manager: Benefit from a structured handover and the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the business.
• Gain broad exposure: Work across finance, accounting and production, developing both technical and commercial expertise.

• Support the financial and production-controlling activities of the manufacturing site.
• Analyse production costs and investigate variances, pricing questions and other financial issues.
• Develop an understanding of the plant’s financial processes and how they connect with its production activities.
• Work with financial systems and tools, learning how different processes and modules interact.
• Collaborate with colleagues across finance and operations to understand business performance and resolve issues.
• Take ownership of financial questions, investigate the underlying details and propose practical solutions.
• Work closely with the current manager during the handover and gradually assume broader responsibilities.

• Experience in production or plant controlling within a manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.
• Alternatively, experience auditing manufacturing clients, ideally gained within a Big 4 or comparable firm, could provide a strong foundation.
• Solid knowledge of financial accounting fundamentals, including double-entry bookkeeping, debits and credits, accounting treatment and depreciation.
• A relevant qualification such as CIMA, ACCA or a Swiss accounting qualification is advantageous. Candidates working towards a qualification are also encouraged to apply.
• Familiarity with SAP or another ERP system.
• German and English language skills are required. Swiss German is an advantage.
• An analytical and commercially minded approach, combined with attention to detail.
• Curiosity, initiative and the confidence to ask questions and investigate unfamiliar topics.
• Flexibility and motivation to learn, take ownership and grow within the business.

If you are looking for a role where you can combine your accounting knowledge with commercial thinking and develop your career in a manufacturing environment, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Please send us your CV or get in touch for a confidential conversation.