Accounting Manager

Client Overview: Our client is a U.S.-based food manufacturing organization operating within the food and beverage sector. The company is part of a larger internationally owned group with European roots and is currently in a development and expansion phase within the U.S. market. The U.S. operation is structured as a lean, entrepreneurial environment with close coordination to global headquarters.

Job title: Accounting Manager

Mission: The Accounting Manager is responsible for leading and stabilizing the U.S. accounting function, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and effective cost and inventory accounting in a fast-growing food manufacturing environment. The role acts as a key liaison between U.S. operations and international headquarters, building scalable accounting processes while improving visibility into margins, working capital, and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS requirements.
• Own general ledger integrity, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and coordination with external consultants during the transition to in-house accounting operations.
• Manage end-to-end cost accounting activities including standard costing, variance analysis (labor, overhead, yield, waste), inventory valuation, and BOM accuracy.
• Oversee inventory accounting and working capital management, including cycle counts, reconciliations, shrinkage tracking, and inventory optimization initiatives.
• Develop and maintain internal control frameworks, support audit processes, and ensure compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis, providing insights into product, customer, and channel profitability.
• Act as the key finance liaison between U.S. operations and international Group Finance, ensuring alignment in reporting and governance.
• Contribute to ERP optimization, process standardization, and scalable finance infrastructure development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA strongly preferred).
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally including Big Four or top-tier audit/advisory background.
• Strong experience in manufacturing, food production, or industrial environments with deep expertise in cost accounting and inventory management.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP with exposure to IFRS reporting environments.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics 365 preferred).
• Proven ability to operate in lean, fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments with high ownership and hands-on execution.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to translate financial data into operational insights.
• Excellent communication skills and experience working with international or multi-entity organizations.

Other information: Candidate must show proof of US citizenship/visa/alien registration. No sponsorship will be offered for this role.