Job Summary:
The Plant Accounting Manager will drive results in the accounting functions that support the regional manufacturing locations for the Global Products segment. This role reporting through Controllership and Plant Accounting Controller will serve as an advisor to the Company’s Center of Excellence Record-to-Report (RTR) teams, Plant Controllers and business/operations leaders to ensure accounting and reporting integrity and effective controls and compliance, confirming consistency to US GAAP and Company policy. This individual, in this newly created role, will lead the reporting and monitoring of actual financial results. The key focus of the role will be leading an effort through collaboration with the other regional accounting manager(s) to have consistent treatment of cost accounting activities across the segment, regardless of ERP. This person will provide direction, training and counseling to its various stakeholders on a wide variety of business/financial/accounting issues related to inventory and cost accounting to ensure achievement and alignment of the manufacturing processes across the enterprise.
Principal Duties:
Proactively work with RTR and business finance to review and sign-off on the monthly, quarterly and annual closing processes. This includes review of key reserves and account reconciliations surrounding inventory, and overall balance sheet and financial metric trends to ensure accuracy and potential gaps. Oversee key period end close activities such as absorption accounting, PPV capitalization, freight accruals and variance analysis across multiple ERPs. Establishes regional processes with a global mindset for the calculation and review of relevant accruals and reserves, such as obsolete and slow-moving inventory, freight and other related accruals. Analyze actual costs versus standard costs, identify variances, and provide explanations and recommendations to management. Collaborate with finance teams at each plant location and RTR to ensure consistent costing practices, cost pooling and policies. Individual will need to be ‘hands on’ and be in the details to drive change. Ensure strong controls are implemented and maintained for key financial areas related to inventory and cost accounting. Identify areas for process improvement in a shared services environment and develop and implement solutions. Will need to be organized and diligent in challenging the business and RTR in current ways of working. Collaborate with, coach and monitor the RTR teams that support the underlying or transactional details of each region. Create talent pipeline through the Company’s RTR team to strengthen finance functions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline processes and enhance efficiency and implement initiatives. Proactively identify business/financial opportunities and corrective actions and implements them or communicates them to management for implementation. Provide financial leadership, training and direction to the financial and operating team to improve their financial and business skills so they can more effectively manage their responsibilities. Provide support for development and enhancement of IT financial and business systems, including supporting strategic ERP deployments as business evolves.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with experience related to inventory and cost accounting in a global organization
7 years progressive finance and accounting experience
Demonstrated ability to add value to business performance
Advanced computer skills including OneStream, Microsoft Office products and financial reporting software
Experience with multiple ERP systems that support inventory accounting, ideally SAP
Ability to work and engage with a global business and shared service center footprint, including multiple time zones and cultures
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization
Desired Qualifications:
Public accounting and industry experience
CPA
Management of a team with remote members