Director of Accounting

We are looking for an experienced finance leader to guide accounting and financial strategy for an agriculture-focused organization in Salinas, California. This onsite role will work closely with senior leadership to strengthen financial performance, support operational decision-making, and provide oversight across budgeting, reporting, costing, and compliance. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, sound business judgment, and a track record of success in complex manufacturing, food, produce, or agricultural environments.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a strategic advisor to division leadership, translating financial results into recommendations that support growth, profitability, and operational efficiency.

• Direct the yearly planning cycle, including budget development, forecast updates, and longer-range financial outlooks for the business.

• Build financial models and scenario analyses that help leaders evaluate business conditions, risks, and investment opportunities.

• Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, ensuring reporting is accurate, timely, and aligned with company standards.

• Lead accounting close activities and maintain strong internal controls, policy compliance, and reliable financial processes across the division.

• Manage product costing and inventory valuation, with close attention to raw materials, packaging, labor, freight, and other core cost drivers.

• Track key financial and operational metrics, identify performance trends, and communicate actionable insights to leadership teams.

• Monitor capital spending, assess return expectations, and help improve cash flow and working capital management.

• Lead, coach, and develop finance and accounting staff while fostering accountability and high performance across multiple entities or business units.

Posted by Staffing Director Scott G. Moore (Apply here and connect on LinkedIn)

• 10+ years of progressive experience in finance and accounting, including broad exposure to reporting, planning, and operational support.
• 5–7+ years in a senior finance or accounting leadership position with responsibility for team management and business partnership.
• Background in agriculture, produce, food manufacturing, or another related operational industry strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial planning and analysis, accounting operations, inventory, standard costing, and month-end close processes.
• Experience supporting multi-entity structures or complex divisional organizations.
• Proficiency with enterprise resource planning systems is required; experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline is required; CPA is preferred.
• Proven ability to lead teams, communicate with executives, and drive informed business decisions through financial insight.