Inventory Accounting Manager

Novolex • Lake Forest, IL

10d

About The Position

We are seeking an Inventory Accounting Manager to lead key inventory accounting activities and serve as the primary accounting resource for inventory-related matters across the plant and warehouse network. This role will be responsible for Q4 physical inventory counts, inventory audit support, slow-moving and obsolete inventory analysis, and the development of consistent inventory accounting processes and controls. The Inventory Accounting Manager will also play a critical change management role by helping the plant and warehouse network transition from site-specific practices to standardized, sustainable best practices that improve inventory accuracy, audit readiness, and financial reporting discipline.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant accounting experience, including inventory accounting, cost accounting, manufacturing accounting, or supply chain finance exposure.
• Strong understanding of inventory valuation, reserves, reconciliations, internal controls, and financial close processes.
• Experience supporting physical inventory counts, cycle counts, or inventory audit procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with auditors, cross-functional business partners, plant and warehouse leadership, and finance leadership.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills; experience with ERP systems and inventory sub-ledgers preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence change across decentralized teams, standardize processes, and drive adoption of new procedures in a multi-site environment.
• Strong attention to detail, ownership mindset, and ability to manage multiple priorities during quarter-end and year-end cycles.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a multi-site operating environment.
• Experience with SLOB reserve methodologies, inventory policy development, and control remediation.
• Familiarity with SOX controls and audit documentation standards.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead accounting contact for Q4 physical inventory counts, including planning, site coordination, count instructions, variance review, reconciliation, and post-count reporting.
• Coordinate inventory-related audit requests and communications with internal and external auditors, ensuring timely delivery of schedules, supporting documentation, explanations, and follow-up items.
• Own the slow-moving and obsolete inventory process, including data analysis, reserve calculations, policy application, management review materials, and related journal entries.
• Review inventory balances, transactions, adjustments, and reconciliations to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with company accounting policies.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and plant and warehouse teams to understand inventory movements, investigate variances, resolve discrepancies, and improve inventory accuracy.
• Develop, document, and maintain inventory accounting processes, procedures, controls, and reporting standards.
• Lead change management efforts to standardize inventory accounting processes across the plant and warehouse network, including aligning site practices, documenting current-state gaps, and building practical roadmaps for adoption.
• Identify, promote, and implement inventory best practices across locations, helping the plant and warehouse network move toward more consistent count procedures, reserve inputs, reconciliation standards, and reporting routines.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities related to inventory, cost adjustments, reserves, and account reconciliations.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and help implement sustainable solutions that strengthen controls, reduce manual effort, and improve visibility into inventory risk.
• Prepare clear reporting and analysis for finance leadership on inventory trends, valuation risks, count results, SLOB exposure, process adoption, and required actions.

Benefits

• medical, dental and vision insurance
• variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health
• Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager