SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: EUR 54,100 - 67,600 / annual
Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. We are seeking a Manufacturing Controller (Werkscontroller) to serve as a central interface between our newly established manufacturing facility in Berlin and our finance team in the US.
In this dual-role position, you will own cost accounting processes and local compliance for our German subsidiary (GmbH) while supporting global cost accounting, intercompany reconciliation, and capital expenditure tracking. Working with operational leadership, you will establish scalable standard cost methodologies, ensure inventory integrity across multiple sites, and facilitate seamless financial coordination between EMEA and US teams.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build scalable cost accounting processes, standard cost methods, and manufacturing time tracking for the Berlin production line in collaboration with the operations team.
- Execute monthly close processes for GmbH inventory, including reconciliation of raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods; oversee physical inventory counts and variance analysis.
- Ensure local accounting compliance with HGB (German Commercial Code); prepare cost documentation for German research grants (e.g., research tax credit) and manage financial documentation for local subsidies.
- Reconcile PCard expenses for lab equipment and flight materials; review capitalization vs. expense classification (assets under construction vs. operating expenses) for the German entity.
- Serve as backup for US cost accounting during absences, peak periods, and initial US time-zone coverage; will be trained on US monthly close processes.
- Review and reconcile consolidated intercompany transfer orders between international subsidiaries; manage inventory movements between PBC and GmbH locations.
- Maintain satellite material costs, launch expenses, and manufacturing processes; track movements between inventory, WIP, and internal fixed assets.
- Support capitalization of labor costs for internal software development, satellite construction, and commissioning activities.
- Conduct analyses of purchase price variances (PPV), production variances, scrap, excess inventory, and obsolescence (E&O); prepare balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, and accruals for goods received and manufacturing prepayments for US and EMEA activities.
- Support internal and external audits under US-GAAP, HGB, and SOX controls.
Requirements:
- Minimum 4 years of relevant cost accounting experience in manufacturing or high-tech environments.
- Completed degree in accounting, finance, or business administration, or relevant vocational training (e.g., industrial business management with accounting/controlling focus).
- Experience with inventory controls and internationally structured corporate groups.
- Proficiency with modern ERP systems and advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills.
- Fluent German and English (English is the company language).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong knowledge of both US-GAAP and HGB.
- Practical experience with NetSuite ERP system.
Note: This position requires access to US and German/EU export-controlled information. Candidates must be able to access all relevant export-controlled information without requiring additional export licenses from German, European, or US authorities.
