Plant Controller I

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Job Summary:
The General Accounting Supervisor will oversee the accounting operations ensuring the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting. Your responsibilities will include managing a cost accountant, overseeing the preparation of financial statements, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulations. You will also be involved in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis to support strategic decision making. With a focus on process improvement, you will lead initiatives to streamline accounting procedures and enhance internal controls. This role requires strong leadership skills, in depth knowledge of accounting practices, and the ability to mentor and develop your team.
Responsibilities:

• Oversee all plant-level accounting activities, including but not limited to month‑end close, cost accounting, inventory management, and financial reporting
• Serve as the SAP finance subject‑matter expert for the plant, with hands‑on experience in SAP ECC6 and preferably SAP S/4HANA
• Develop and maintain standard costing, project costing, and variance analysis processes
• Partner with operations, SIOP, CI, shared services, and project management teams to provide financial insights that support performance improvement
• Partner with other plant controllers and team members to drive standardization
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long‑range planning activities for the plant
• Ensure compliance with corporate accounting policies, internal controls, SOX, and external audit requirements
• Analyze project profitability, manufacturing performance, and cost drivers to support strategic decisions
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, systems, and reporting
• Provide leadership and mentorship to local finance staff and MFG teams

High Impact Behaviors:
• Leadership by Example: Supervisors should model the behavior they expect from their team. This includes demonstrating a strong work ethic, integrity, and commitment to the organization’s values.
• Team Engagement and Development: Supervisors need to actively engage their team members, recognizing their strengths and providing opportunities for skill development. This also involves offering constructive feedback and fostering a supportive team environment.
• Operational Efficiency: Supervisors should strive for continuous improvement in processes, ensuring that the team works efficiently and effectively. This includes setting clear goals, monitoring progress, and adapting strategies as necessary.
Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• 7+ years of progressive experience in plant finance, cost accounting, or manufacturing controllership
• Strong working knowledge of SAP; experience with S/4HANA strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience in a project‑based business (engineer‑to‑order, make‑to‑order, capital equipment, or similar)
• Deep understanding of cost accounting, inventory valuation, US GAAP, and project costing
• Strong analytical, communication, and business partnering skills
• Some travel to other key MFG sites required
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications:
 

• CPA certification (active or inactive)
• Experience leading or supporting SAP implementations or upgrades
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling capabilities
• Onestream and Power BI

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.