Division Accounting Manager

Division Accounting Manager - Cost Accounting Operations
Location: Nebraska

Position Overview

A global manufacturing organization is seeking a Division Accounting Manager to lead cost accounting and operational finance activities for a large, multi-site manufacturing business. Reporting directly to the Division Controller, this role will serve as a critical business partner to manufacturing and operations leadership, supporting financial planning, cost management, inventory controls, operational performance analysis, and strategic decision-making.

This position offers significant visibility across the organization and is ideal for a finance leader who enjoys working closely with operations while driving financial performance, process improvements, and long-term business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Lead all aspects of cost accounting for a complex manufacturing environment.
• Oversee standard costing, annual cost roll processes, burden allocations, and overhead rate calculations.
• Maintain bill of materials (BOM) and routing integrity to ensure accurate product costing.
• Analyze manufacturing variances, including labor efficiency, material usage, purchase price variances, and overhead absorption.
• Partner with operations leadership to identify drivers of financial performance and implement corrective actions.

Inventory Accounting & Controls

• Manage inventory accounting processes, including raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
• Oversee physical inventory programs, cycle counts, inventory reconciliations, and reporting.
• Monitor inventory reserves, slow-moving inventory, and inventory turnover metrics.
• Ensure strong internal controls surrounding inventory and manufacturing accounting activities.

Planning, Forecasting & Financial Analysis

• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning activities.
• Provide operational and financial analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Develop driver-based models and scenario analyses to support business initiatives.
• Partner with leadership on profitability analysis, productivity initiatives, and cost reduction efforts.
• Assist with capital investment evaluations and return-on-investment analysis.

Operations Business Partnership

• Act as a key finance partner to plant and operations leadership teams.
• Translate operational activities into financial impact and actionable recommendations.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiency projects.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives involving production, supply chain, engineering, procurement, and leadership teams.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Utilize ERP and reporting systems to enhance visibility into financial and operational performance.
• Drive improvements in reporting accuracy, automation, and process efficiency.
• Support finance transformation initiatives and process standardization efforts.
• Promote data integrity and best practices across finance and operational reporting.

Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise and develop finance and accounting personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and provide coaching and mentoring.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships across finance, operations, and executive leadership teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• Progressive accounting and finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong cost accounting and inventory accounting expertise.
• Experience with forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and financial planning.
• Knowledge of manufacturing operations, standard costing, and operational finance.
• Experience leading or mentoring accounting and finance professionals.
• Strong analytical, communication, and business partnering skills.
• ERP experience required.

Preferred Background

• Manufacturing industry experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting large-scale production environments.
• Exposure to inventory-intensive operations and multi-site manufacturing organizations.
• Proven ability to partner with operations leaders and influence business decisions.
• Interest in long-term leadership growth opportunities.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Annual performance bonus opportunity.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• 20 days of PTO.
• Full relocation assistance available, including moving and relocation-related support.
• Strong internal advancement opportunities and long-term career growth potential.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This role offers the opportunity to become a key financial leader within a large manufacturing operation generating hundreds of millions in annual revenue. The position combines hands-on cost accounting expertise with strategic business partnership responsibilities, giving the right individual exposure to both operational and executive leadership. For candidates interested in manufacturing finance leadership and future Controller-level opportunities, this position provides a highly visible platform for long-term career progression.

Operating as part of Phaidon International, Selby Jennings is a multi-award winning global recruitment organization focused on servicing the financial industry.

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From our offices around the world, we recruit beyond international boundaries, pro-actively sourcing the best talent in the industry. Across contingent, retained, and project solutions, our service is unrivaled; speaking to our level of service provision, search accuracy, and flexibility.