Operational Accounting Business Partner

ROLE PROFILEDrive Financial Performance, Operational Insight and Accounting Excellence Across Croda’s Manufacturing NetworkOperational performance relies on accurate financial information, strong accounting controls, meaningful reporting and effective business partnership. As Croda continues to invest in manufacturing performance, leaders need Finance to connect technical operational activity with the insight required to manage costs, protect margins and improve decisions.The Operational Accounting Business Partner coordinates the financial requirements of Operations across manufacturing locations. The role leads manufacturing and product costing, plant-performance reporting, inventory governance, capital-spend analysis, operational budgeting and forecasting, while managing and developing site accountants.This elevated role also acts as a trusted finance partner to Site Directors and leadership teams. It combines accounting discipline, people leadership and scenario-based decision support to help Operations improve performance, evaluate investments and deliver sustainable value.Why Join Croda Now?Croda continues to strengthen operational performance, cost transparency and disciplined investment across its manufacturing network. Accurate costing, real-time reporting, inventory discipline and consistent financial controls are essential to better decisions and sustainable manufacturing performance.This role offers the opportunity to shape the operational accounting framework across multiple sites, lead and develop the site-accounting team, and increase Finance’s contribution to performance, investment and productivity decisions.What Success Looks LikeOperational Performance & Business Partnership· Serve as a trusted finance partner to Site Directors and operational leadership teams, providing independent challenge, insight and decision support.· Lead plant-performance reviews that clarify risks, opportunities, root causes and required actions.· Translate technical accounting, cost and performance information into practical recommendations for site leaders.· Build stronger financial understanding and accountability across Operations while maintaining control discipline.Manufacturing Performance, Costing & Profitability· Build and continually refine a comprehensive scorecard for plant performance.· Maintain accurate manufacturing and product costs, including bills of material, unit overhead rates and standard costs.· Partner with Production and site teams to keep costing assumptions and operational data current and reliable.· Analyze performance drivers and recommend actions that improve productivity, efficiency and financial performance.Inventory, Controls & Compliance· Lead inventory governance, including physical inventories, disposal processes, reporting and year-end audit requirements.· Improve visibility of inventory performance, stock movements and working-capital drivers.· Maintain strong accounting standards, controls and documentation across operational finance processes.· Identify financial risks or control gaps and ensure corrective action is completed.Capital Investment & Strategic Decision Support· Support project engineers and site leaders in developing robust business cases for capital projects.· Monitor and analyze capital spending monthly, providing visibility of budget, timing and delivery risks.· Ensure projects incorporate corporate sustainability requirements while remaining within budget and agreed timelines.· Evaluate opportunity-cost and savings initiatives to support operational prioritization.Planning, Reporting & Continuous Improvement· Own the annual operating budget and forecasting process with operational teams and FP&A.· Challenge assumptions and advise management on budgets, forecasts and financial commitments.· Develop real-time SAP reporting that improves the quality and speed of operational decisions.· Challenge existing Finance and Operations processes and lead approved improvements and complex projects.People Leadership & First-Year Build Agenda· Lead, coach and develop site accountants across manufacturing locations, setting clear expectations and driving performance.· Ensure the team meets financial and reporting deadlines and builds stronger business-partnering capability.· Strengthen relationships with Site Directors and operational leaders across the network.· Enhance performance scorecards, SAP reporting and management visibility of key operational metrics.Operating StyleThis is a practical, analytical management role combining technical accounting discipline, people leadership and influence across Operations. The successful candidate will be expected to:· Build trusted relationships with Site Directors, operational leaders, Production, Engineering, FP&A and site accountants.· Lead, coach and hold the site-accounting team accountable for quality, deadlines and performance.· Challenge established processes and assumptions constructively while remaining solutions-focused.· Use data, scenario analysis and financial expertise to influence decisions and add value.· Communicate technical accounting and cost information clearly to finance and non-finance audiences.· Balance recurring reporting and control responsibilities with team leadership and complex projects.Core CapabilitiesStrategic Perspective: Connect plant performance, product economics and investment choices with broader operational priorities.Delivery: Create reliable reporting, meet deadlines and convert analysis into sustained operational improvement.Working Together: Build strong partnerships across site leadership, Operations, Production, Engineering, FP&A and Finance.Adaptability: Balance monthly requirements, annual planning, team leadership and complex projects across multiple sites.Curiosity: Investigate cost, inventory and performance movements and continually challenge existing processes.Authenticity: Provide clear, evidence-based challenge and build trust through technical credibility and follow-through.Experience & Expertise· Extensive manufacturing and cost-accounting experience, including significant management and supervisory responsibility.· Strong technical knowledge of accounting and finance principles and accounting standards.· Experience managing product costing, bills of material, overhead rates and standard costs.· Experience with inventory governance, physical counts, disposal processes and year-end audit requirements.· Experience partnering with Site Directors or operational leaders on performance and investment decisions.· Experience supporting capital-project business cases and monitoring capital expenditure.· Strong budgeting, forecasting, scenario-analysis and problem-solving capability.· Experience working with internal and external auditors and preparing accounts and supporting information for audit.· Proficiency in Microsoft Office and enterprise resource planning systems, including SAP.· Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; MBA, CPA or CMA qualification is preferred.Role ScopeRegional responsibility for coordinating the financial requirements of Operations across manufacturing locations. Based in Princeton, New Jersey, the role reports to the Regional Head of Finance, directly manages and develops site accountants, and partners with Site Directors, operational leaders, Production, project engineers, FP&A, auditors and other Finance colleagues. The position is full-time and exempt.Why CrodaAt Croda, our purpose is Smart science to improve lives.As a global leader in specialty ingredients and life sciences innovation, we partner with customers to solve complex challenges that improve health, sustainability and quality of life around the world.Our success is built on the expertise of our people and a culture grounded in our values of Responsible, Innovative and Together. We believe diverse perspectives, scientific curiosity, collaborative leadership and practical execution create the conditions for sustainable growth and meaningful impact.Joining Croda means becoming part of a business where your work will directly contribute to customer success, business performance and innovations that improve lives globally.Additional InformationThis is an on-site position with associated travel based at our corporate headquarters in Princeton, NJAnnual Base Salary Range: $130,000 - $160,000This range reflects the base salary the company reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, experience, education, and skill level. Additional compensation, such as annual bonuses or other incentives, may be offered based on eligibility and company policies.Equal Opportunity EmployerCroda is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Croda recognizes employees as our strength and the diversity they bring to our workforce are directly linked to our ongoing success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veterans. This Organization Participates in E-Verify.If you require any reasonable adjustments during the hiring process or experience any issues with our online application process, please email View email address on click.appcast.io.