Senior Controller at Yanfeng US Automotive Interior Systems I LLC in Novi, Michigan

Job Description:

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) is the global leader in automotive interiors. YFAI is redefining how people relax, work and play in their vehicle interiors today and decades from now. Headquartered in Shanghai, the company has 114 manufacturing plants and technical centers in 20 countries and more than 33,000 employees globally. They design, develop and manufacture interior components for all automakers. Established in 2015, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors is a joint venture between Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems Co., Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Huayu Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (HASCO), the component group of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC Motor), and Adient, the global leader in automotive seating. For more information, please visit www.YFAI.com.

The Operations Controller has responsibility for 4-6 plant locations within the US and Canadian footprint of Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. The successful candidate will be grounded with exceptionally strong finance, accounting, planning/budgeting, cost accounting, manufacturing, and financial analysis skills as well as excellent communication, partnership, and problem-solving skills.  This position will operate as a business leader with strong initiative and commitment to continuous improvement.  Position will have management and development responsibility for plant finance professionals in the region, with the individual plant controllers for each location reporting directly into the role.

Financial Process Leader:

• Drive a process-driven culture, ensuring robust internal financial controls are maintained and constantly monitored; Implement and drives simplification initiatives and continuous improvement projects in the controllership environment. Drive adherence to all policies and procedures of the company and ensure robust work instructions and consistency of information among the plants.


• Coordinate and complete weekly, monthly and quarterly financial reporting of the region, as well as responses to ad hoc corporate requests;


• Coordinate and review monthly financial forecasts, annual profit plan, and 5 year strategic business plan;


• Ensure C-SOX and BOS compliance at all plant locations and periodically perform audits of internal controls.


• Drive monthly management meetings to review the key performance indicators, monthly operations reports and progress to goals;


• Perform quarterly balance sheet reviews to effectively manage balance sheet and working capital;

Partner to the Business:

• Provide financial support as business partner to the business with strong participation in the Management Team;


• Drive business turnaround and change initiatives to improve profitability and cash flow performance at all plant locations;


• Drive Continuous Improvement and the implementation and use of Best Business Practices at all plant locations;


• Develop tools for use in plant analytics in order to drive business improvement initiatives;


• Work closely with customer business units to analyze commercial margin trends and collaborate on commercial initiatives to enhance overall plant profitability

Specific Requirements:

Education: BS Degree in Accounting/Finance or equivalent, MBA is a plus

Experience, Skills, Knowledge:

• Strong leadership and presentation skills, and the ability to explain and communicate financial results to management in an understandable and actionable format for decision-making purposes.


• 8+ years experience Financial Operations Controllership in a manufacturing environment (automotive and/or multi-plant experience is a must)


• Demonstrated track record of building trust and operating effectively within a dynamic and changing organization.


• Team player with a strong ability to build relationships and instill confidence and trust with executive management and internal stakeholders.


• High level of proficiency at analysis of financial information and interpretation into useful information communicated to non-financial leaders


• Strong Problem Solving skills


• Ability to travel to plant locations within region as business conditions dictate; Estimate 25%.


• Computer skills to include: Excel, Hyperion (HFM), QAD, MS Office suite