Senior Cost Accountant

Ajinomoto Foods North America•Oakland, MS

About The Position

The Senior Cost Accountant is the primary manufacturing finance support to the Plant Controller and Plant leadership team. This role supports product costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing variance analysis and reporting regarding the plants’ financial affairs assisting in operational decision-making. The position also plays a key role in training and developing Staff Accountants and strengthening financial controls across plant operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting, or related field
Three (3) to five (5) or more years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience in a high-paced manufacturing environment. Experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
Broad business experience, preferred experience in manufacturing accounting
Ability to build relationships with others, to lead and direct the work of others and themselves
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with expert level skills in Excel and Power Point. Knowledge of SAP or JD Edwards preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively present information to executive management
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make sound recommendations
Must be self-motivated, results oriented, possess a high degree of initiative and work well under pressure
Ability to lead, coach, influence, motivate, develop, engage all plant team

Nice To Haves

Experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
Knowledge of SAP or JD Edwards preferred.
Broad business experience, preferred experience in manufacturing accounting

Responsibilities

This position supports the Plant Controller in directing, supervising and training the accounting support team
Key financial business partner to plant leadership, operational teams, and corporate finance
Preparation of meaningful financial reporting and analysis in all areas of operations with the focus on delivering insights toward cost drivers
Provide management with timely reviews of the operation’s financial status and progress in its various programs and activities
Supervises maintenance of ledgers, inventory records of raw materials, packaging, finished goods, spare parts, fixed assets and related accounting reports, files and documents; ensures all accounting functions are performed accurately and on a timely basis, in accordance with IFRS and company procedures
Partner with Engineering and Operations on capital projects, CIP tracking, and cost improvement initiatives.
Responsible for assisting with the annual budget process as directed by the Plant Controller in all areas including plant labor, overhead, product costing, and etc.
Perform trend analysis and provide information on potential financial risks or opportunities and complete commentary notes on operations results
Development of cost estimates for new products/processes
Partner with supply chain/warehousing to manage inventory, including cycle counting, troubleshooting, process improvement, and vendor relations
Instrumental in the monthly/annual financial close process
Support Plant Controller with internal/external audit requests
Assist in developing departmental plans, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures
Collaboratively perform other duties as needed to support the goals of the company
Represents the Company in dealings with vendors and government agencies, as assigned
Other duties as assigned