Job Description

Company Overview:

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy, robotics, and electrification.

We are the only U.S. company with a fully integrated rare earth supply chain—from mining and refining to advanced metal and magnet manufacturing. Our products include both the critical materials used to make permanent magnets and the finished magnets themselves—enabling next-generation technologies in robotics, automation, aerospace, transportation, defense, and energy systems. These materials are the foundation of physical AI—the convergence of computation, movement, and control.

We hire ambitious, mission-driven people who want to tackle complex challenges and shape the future of strategic industries. Our culture is rooted in teamwork, resiliency, and integrity, with a deep commitment to operational excellence and national purpose. MP is rapidly evolving from a materials producer into a leading U.S. manufacturer—and our people are driving that transformation.

Position Overview:

MP Materials is seeking an experienced Plant Controller to lead financial operations at its Mountain Pass Mine and Processing Facility in Mountain Pass, California. This role is a strategic and hands-on position responsible for ensuring accurate plant-level accounting and financial reporting, robust internal controls, and alignment with corporate accounting standards. The Plant Controller will serve as the key financial partner to plant operations and will play a pivotal role in the accounting close process, asset and cost control, inventory accuracy, budgeting, and driving financial discipline throughout the facility. This role also ensures compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), supports external audit activities, and contributes to company-wide initiatives, including system improvements and scaling for growth.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead all accounting and financial operations at the Mountain Pass facility, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with corporate and regulatory standards.
• Manage the monthly plant close process, including analysis and documentation of costs, fixed assets, accruals, and inventory movements.
• Develop, maintain, and improve internal controls in accordance with SOX requirements.
• Prepare and review plant-level financial statements and reporting packages for monthly and quarterly reviews.
• Collaborate with operations leadership to monitor and improve cost efficiencies and inventory management.
• Review and approve purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and invoices.
• Partner with corporate Accounting and Finance, and other departments to align on forecasts, budgets, and operational performance.
• Lead internal and external audit activities related to plant financials, including preparation of schedules and support documentation.
• Support reconciliation processes, ensure timely and accurate journal entries, and resolve discrepancies proactively, as needed.
• Drive continuous process improvement, including automation of manual workflows and implementation of best practices.
• Participate in the financial evaluation and execution of capital projects and other plant-based initiatives.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to any plant-based staff.
• Adhere to the company close calendar and proper completion of all close related activities.
• Plan, direct and execute various accounting projects, including those regarding company growth initiatives that require accounting support.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• 3+ years of experience in a plant, manufacturing, or industrial operations environment.
• Solid understanding of inventory accounting, cost accounting, and fixed asset accounting.
• Experience with SOX compliance and implementation of internal controls.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting.
• Hands-on experience with a major ERP system (e.g., SAP, Oracle, etc.).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling.
• Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Desired Qualities:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or MBA
• Experience in mining, metals, chemicals, or heavy industrial sectors
• Familiarity with standard costing methodologies and variance analysis
• Demonstrated success in driving process improvement or automation initiatives
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities
• Comfort working in a dynamic, evolving business environment with cross-functional teams

MP Materials is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Underrepresented groups/Women/Disabled/Veterans are encouraged to apply. Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet the position’s requirements will still be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

Your Right to Work – In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment verification document form upon hire.

For Assistance with Application - Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. Contact Human Resources Department at 702-844-6111; dial 7 when prompted for HR; 1700 South Pavilion Center Dr. 8th Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89135 to discuss reasonable accommodation.

Safety Provision - Employees are responsible for following all company, industry and regulatory procedures and laws to ensure a safe work environment for themselves and the company. Employees must have a willingness to promote safety among the workforce, participate in Process Hazard Analysis procedures and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews.

(PPE) Personal Protective Equipment is required when performing work in a mine, manufacturing, outdoor, or plant environment. Required PPE may include, but is not limited to, hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves, and any other protective equipment as required.

Working Conditions - Our facility sits at an elevation of 4,700 feet. Employees may be subject to extreme weather conditions when working in an outdoor setting (heat and cold, wind). Work is at an open pit mine or manufacturing/chemical plant setting, which may include exposure to moving mechanical parts, toxic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, explosives, fumes, or airborne particles.

Physical Demands - Manual dexterity; sense of touch; sense of smell; speaking clearly; hearing-speech range; hearing – all ranges; seeing, reading and comprehensions; seeing – distant/near; depth perception; color vision. While performing the job responsibilities, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to stand and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel and to manipulate laboratory equipment. The employee is occasionally required to walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Employees must pass a full-face respiratory fit test. Employees must be able to lift 50 lbs. Must be able to work in PPE level C. These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and ability required of the employee.