Role Overview
Plant Controller – Food Manufacturing (Pennsylvania, USA) — PRAVI Executive Search is seeking the U.S. Plant Controller for Il Pastaio di Brescia, a top Italian producer of premium gnocchi and fresh pasta. Il Pastaio di Brescia operates three plants in Italy (including one fully gluten-free) and owns strong brands such as Patarò and PataOrto. The company is expanding internationally and shaping the worldwide future of premium pasta. The U.S. facility will be located in Allenwood, PA, a brand-new 70,000 sq. ft. plant opening in December 2025.
Role Overview
As Plant Controller, you will be instrumental in setting up and managing the financial controlling operations for the new U.S. facility. You will report to the Group Controlling Manager and collaborate with the local Plant Manager to monitor, analyse, and optimize production costs and industrial performance, ensuring accurate cost control, performance tracking, and data-driven financial decision-making.
Purpose of the Role
The Plant Controller is responsible for monitoring, analysing and optimizing production costs and industrial efficiency, providing the management team with strategic and operational insights. The main goal is to ensure effective economic control of production activities, supporting profitability, productivity, and cost-efficiency targets.
Key Activities and Responsibilities
- Monitor and analyse industrial costs (raw materials, labour, overhead, indirect costs).
- Prepare regular reports on standard vs. actual costs.
- Collaborate with Production and Logistics teams to control operational processes.
- Build and maintain industrial accounting and costing models.
- Analyse budget variances and identify root causes.
- Support the preparation of production budgets and forecasts.
- Participate in continuous improvement projects (e.g., Lean, Kaizen).
- Cooperate with the Finance team during month-end closing of industrial accounts.
- Monitor and optimize the valuation of inventory and stock levels.
- Perform financial analysis of industrial investments (make or buy, ROI, payback).
Core Technical and Managerial Competencies
- Strong knowledge of industrial and cost accounting.
- Ability to interpret financial and production data.
- Experience with major ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent).
- Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with BI tools (Power BI, Tableau).
- Competence in forecasting models and sensitivity analysis.
- Problem-solving mindset and systemic thinking.
- Clear and effective communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Proactivity, operational autonomy, and results-oriented approach.
- Strong teamwork skills across functions.
Performance Metrics
- Accuracy of cost tracking and reporting (variance % vs. actual).
- Timeliness of report delivery (e.g., within 3 working days after month-end).
- Reduction of variances between standard and actual costs (annual % decrease).
- Contribution margin by product or production line.
- Accuracy of budgeting and forecasting (variance < 5%).
- Implementation rate of identified corrective actions.
- Improvement of production efficiency (e.g., OEE, cost per unit).
- Cost savings or efficiency gains from improvement projects.
What We Offer
- Full-time, on-site contract
- International exposure, including training/onboarding in Italy
- Professional growth within a private equity–backed global company
- A people-centered culture committed to innovation and operational excellence
About the Company
Founded in 1983, Il Pastaio di Brescia specializes in gnocchi and potato-based specialties, supplying both its own brands and private label. Thanks to a long-term strategy focused on innovation, technology, and quality, the company has revolutionized the market. Il Pastaio is renowned for its flexibility, quality, and continuous innovation, supported by strong R&D capabilities, multiple certifications (gluten-free, organic, etc.), and an annual production capacity of over 200 million lbs across 11 production lines in Italy. Since May 2022, Il Pastaio has been backed by the PE Fund The Riverside Company and is pursuing international growth, including the acquisition of the Fresh Pasta Frozen manufacturer Canuti Tradizione Italiana (Rimini, Italy).
Location & Contact
Job location: Allenwood, PA
Interested candidates are invited to apply by contacting:
Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Accounting/Auditing and Finance
Industries
- Business Consulting and Services