Plant Controller

Who we are:

We are on a mission to become a leading supplier of critical materials that enable the green energy and technology revolution. Our materials and technologies are required for the electric vehicle, green energy, consumer electronics, and defense industries, and our battery grade lithium and tech metals are needed for chipsets, semiconductors, and 5G.

We have a substantial interest in the Round Top, Heavy Rare Earth, Lithium and Critical Minerals deposit in West Texas. We have also developed the United States’ first rare earth and critical minerals processing facility and we own the only scalable, sintered neo-magnet manufacturing system in the Western Hemisphere. By developing this fully integrated, US-based “mine-to-magnet” critical mineral supply chain, we are poised to become the leading domestic supplier to these industries.

What you can expect:

At USA Rare Earth, we are pioneers and problem solvers, technologists and team players. Together, we:

Build Solutions: If our task was a simple one, it would already be done. We are creative and solution-oriented, and we think outside the box to solve important problems. We know that a range of expertise and technologies is needed for success, and we work across sectors and alongside customers to deliver world-class solutions in sustainable ways.

Deliver Quality: When we do things, we do them well. We believe that top-tier quality leads to industry competitiveness and we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. We move fast when executing, but safety, quality, and excellence always come first.

Lead responsibly: We have a responsibility to the planet, our consumers, our country, and each other. We put safety at the center of all we do, take accountability for our actions, incorporate sustainable practices in our processes and act with the financial best interest of our investors and consumers in mind.

Win Together: Establishing a rare earth magnet supply chain is a big undertaking – and getting there is a team effort. We communicate openly, work together and challenge each other in pursuit of our goals. With every step we take we learn and get better.

Job Summary

As the Plant Controller for our early-stage public manufacturing company, you will provide financial leadership over all manufacturing costs, inventory, and operational accounting functions for a public company. This role is responsible for ensuring financial accuracy, strengthening internal controls, supporting SEC and SOX compliance, and providing strategic insight to optimize production efficiency and margins. The Manufacturing Controller acts as a key business partner to Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Executive Leadership, enabling data-driven decisions and continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing network.

Key Responsibilities

Costing, Forecasting & Budgeting

- Lead annual standard cost roll and ensure accuracy of BOMs, routings, and overhead allocation.

- Monitor and analyze manufacturing variances (PPV, scrap, labor overhead absorption, rework).

- Support annual budgeting and periodic forecasting for COGS, production costs, and capital expenditures.

- Conduct cost modeling to evaluate pricing, capital investments, product changes, and make-versus-buy decisions.

- Deliver product and customer profitability models to support strategic planning.

Operational Partnership & Process Improvement

- Oversee standard cost development for new and existing products.

- Serve as the financial liaison to manufacturing leadership, providing insights that drive productivity and cost efficiencies.

- Lead initiatives in cost savings, automation, inventory optimization, and process standardization.

- Support ERP enhancements and digital reporting tools that improve financial visibility and operational decision-making.

- Champion continuous improvement culture by implementing lean accounting practices aligned with the business strategy.

Cross-Functional Partnership

- Support pricing decisions, quoting, and proposals with accurate cost data.

- Collaborate with Operations on production planning and cost impact.

- Provide financial support for new product launches and capital projects.

Compliance & Controls

- Ensure the plant adheres to all accounting regulations, internal processes, and audit requirements.

- Maintain strong documentation, controls, and systems to uphold financial accuracy and integrity.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA or CMA preferred.

- 5+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience, ideally within manufacturing in a public company

- 1–3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience.

- Strong knowledge of standard costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing financial processes.

- Ability to operate effectively in an early-stage, fast-scaling public company environment.

- Exceptional analytical skills and proficiency with ERP systems and Excel.

- Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to partner across operations and corporate functions.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, move, sit, carry, bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, lift, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel and talk and hear. May be required to lift and move boxes or packages not exceeding 20 pounds in weight. Some work stress inherent to the position and extended work hours may be required.

Work Environment:

The work environment will be a mix of a typical office environment, laboratory space, manufacturing floor and construction site.

Noise level:

Exposure will vary and include normal office noise, typical laboratory sounds (e.g., ventilation systems, equipment operation), manufacturing floor noise (e.g., machinery, forklifts), and construction site noise depending on project phase and location.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required of personnel so classified. The reporting relationship may not reflect the most recent changes to the corporate reporting structure.

USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities

USA Rare Earth's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and will provide reasonable accommodations according to applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

For assistance applying for employment through this site due to disability, please contact Human Resources, hr@usare.com, to discuss reasonable accommodations.