Head of Controllership, Consumer UK & Ireland in Manchester

Primary Responsibilities:

• Regional Financial Governance & Controls: Ensure execution of accounting and reporting activities across plants within the assigned area, including GL accounting, payroll accounting, lease accounting, inventory accounting, revenue accounting, manufacturing accounting, capital expenditure accounting (additions, retirements, depreciation, CIP), physical inventory cycle governance, fixed asset rollforward and reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP, internal accounting policies, corporate finance manual, local statutory requirements, VAT/indirect tax, tax credits, grants, and local government regulations, as well as internal controls and SOX obligations where relevant.
• Month-End Close & Reporting Quality: Oversee plant-level close processes ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Validate journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and cost allocations. Review variance analysis and financial reporting packs prepared by Plant Controllers. Provide the EMEA Operations Controllership EMEA Lead with a consolidated Area view.
• Leadership of Plant Controllers: Lead, coach, and develop Plant Controllers across multiple locations. Ensure consistent application of accounting policies and reporting templates. Build a high-performing plant finance community focused on rigor, efficiency, and collaboration.
• Operational Finance Partnering: Partner with Plant Managers, Supply Chain, and Operations leadership to understand product costing, efficiency measures, capacity utilization, and waste drivers. Provide insights into cost variances, working capital, and inventory impacts. Support operational initiatives such as footprint optimization, capital projects, and make/buy decisions.
• Integration, Standardization & Continuous Improvement: Support rollout and adoption of standard operating procedures (SOPs), finance systems and ERP harmonization, process simplification, automation, and digitization initiatives. Participate in cross-regional projects and contribute to the end-state controllership operating model.
• External & Internal Audit Support: Coordinate plant-level audit activities within the Area. Ensure remediation plans are executed for control deficiencies. Maintain documentation for statutory, tax, and audit requirements.

KPIs:

• Close cycle duration and error-free submissions.
• Accuracy of inventory, fixed assets, and cost accounting entries.
• Consistency of processes and controls across plants.
• Number and severity of audit findings.
• Compliance with US GAAP and statutory regulations.
• Timeliness and quality of reporting and reconciliations.
• Plant controller competency and engagement levels.

Knowledge & Skills Required:

• Technical: Cost & inventory accounting, fixed assets, close governance, tax/VAT basics, US GAAP, regional statutory requirements, ERP system proficiency (Oracle preferred) and strong Excel/reporting capability.
• Leadership: Coaching remote teams, performance management, influencing without authority.
• Operational: Partnering with operations, manufacturing understanding, root-cause analysis.
• Change management: Standardization, system adoption, embedding new ways of working.
• Analytical: Variance analysis, capital project evaluation, continuous improvement mindset.

Education Required: Possess Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or equivalent in professional accounting qualification, like ACCA, CIMA, etc.

Education Preferred: MBA.

Experience:

• 8–12 years of finance experience in manufacturing, plant, or cost accounting roles.
• Experience managing multiple sites or geographies strongly preferred.
• Experience with external audits, inventory cycle counts, and fixed asset processes.
• Previous leadership experience in a matrix environment.
• M&A or integration experience advantageous.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.

Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is a global leader in value-added, sustainable metal and fiber consumer and industrial packaging. The Company is now a multi-billion-dollar enterprise with approximately 22,500 employees working in 270 operations in 40 countries, serving some of the world’s best-known brands. Guided by our purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life., we strive to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence to provide solutions that better serve all our stakeholders and support a more sustainable future. Sonoco was proudly named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek.