Plant Controller

At Vericel Corporation, we are pioneers in advanced cell therapies for sports medicine and severe burn care, transforming patient lives through cutting-edge regenerative medicine. Our commitment to innovation, patient-centered focus, and scientific excellence drives us to develop groundbreaking treatments including MACI (knee cartilage repair), Epicel and Nexobrid (burn care). 

Position Summary:

As a Director level strategic partner, the Plant Controller works side-by-side with the Operations team including Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Quality. This role is responsible for execution of cost accounting functions, reporting of actual results to senior management and owning the annual budget and forecasting of consolidated COGS. This role is a hybrid Finance role with Accounting and FP&A responsibilities.

Schedule:

This position is in-office from Monday – Thursday with flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

Location:

This role will be split between our new, state of the art facility located in Burlington, MA and our current location in Cambridge, MA.

Position Scope:

• Own the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting of COGS and inventory while working closely with the Operations and FP&A team including analyzing working capital requirements.
• Integrate with the Manufacturing and Supply Chain teams and establish yourself as a valued business partner by providing insight, recommendations and leadership to achieve better cost understanding and higher profitability.
• Act as a subject matter expert for the site for direct cost contributors to COGS including raw material utilization, scrap, and labor balance between manufacturing activities.
• Maintain standard costs across all inventory items.
• Manage and coordinate the timely and accurate completion of the month end close process for inventory and COGS including journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Analyze current cost accounting processes including inventory management, mapping processes and provide recommendations for future process improvements.
• Analyze inventory transactions to ensure that all are appropriately recorded in sub-ledgers and general ledger. Includes the monthly recording of inventory reserve adjustments.
• Oversee inventory variance accounting, including purchase price variances, manufacturing variances and revaluation to ensure accurate accounting. Review account analyses and monthly balance sheet reconciliations for areas of responsibility.
• Ensure inventory accuracy is maintained at all warehouse locations.
• Oversee the preparation of related audit schedules and other requests from internal/external auditors and partners.
• Present and interpret monthly results to senior management including financial issues, budgets and forecasts.
• Drive continuous process improvement in the inventory and COGS areas.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of process improvements including automation within the ERP and other tools where possible, to simplify, standardize and streamline processes.
• Oversee SOX controls in inventory and COGS.
• Fixed asset management over manufacturing fixed assets including Vericel’s investment in a new state-of-the-art advanced cell therapy manufacturing and corporate headquarters facility in Burlington, MA.
• Advocate and champion continuous improvement within the functional area as well as throughout Vericel.
• Ad hoc projects as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting required
• 10+ years of experience; CPA preferred
• Manufacturing and Cost Accounting experience, preferably in Life sciences/Biotech/Medtech
• 4+ years Public company experience
• Big 4 or large regional accounting firm experience preferred
• Strong expertise with Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Strong willingness to be into the details and learn how transactions flow through the ERP
• Strong written, verbal communication and collaboration skills

Why Vericel?

• Cutting-Edge Science: Work with a leading regenerative medicine product that is transforming patient care.
• Career Growth: Be a part of a growing organization with opportunities to expand your impact.
• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving lives.

EEO Statement

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or protected veteran status and will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Vericel Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Vericel Corporation is VEVRAA federal contractor and desires priority referrals of protected veterans for job openings at all locations within the state.