Inventory Cost Accounting Manager

East Hartford, CTDescriptionJob Summary: The Inventory Cost Accounting Manager is responsible for leading and continuously improving NEFCO's inventory costing, inventory accounting, and product costing functions. This role partners closely with the Corporate Controller, Assistant Controller, Operations, Purchasing, Inventory Management, Product Management, IT, and Finance to ensure inventory is accurately valued and financial reporting reflects the economics of the business.The Manager serves as the organization's subject matter expert on inventory accounting within the Eclipse ERP environment and leads the development of scalable accounting policies, internal controls, and inventory costing processes. This position is responsible for understanding how products are created, configured, and kitted together within the ERP system, and ensuring that decisions made during product creation are evaluated for their downstream accounting implications, including inventory valuation, cost of goods sold, gross margin, and General Ledger impacts.Success in this role requires a strategic, analytical leader who enjoys solving complex business problems, leading cross-functional initiatives, mentoring others, and driving continuous improvement across finance and operations.Key Responsibilities:Lead and continuously improve NEFCO's inventory costing and inventory accounting function.Serve as the company's subject matter expert for inventory accounting, costing methodologies, and inventory valuation.Develop a comprehensive understanding of how inventory costs flow through Eclipse ERP and into the General Ledger and financial statements.Lead the design, documentation, and continuous improvement of inventory accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.Develop a thorough understanding of how products are created, configured, and kitted together within the ERP system.Partner with Product Management, Purchasing, Operations, Inventory, Pricing, and IT to review new product setups, kit configurations, and product master data to ensure accounting impacts are identified before implementation.Evaluate how product creation decisions—including kits, assemblies, packaging changes, substitutions, cost components, and product attributes, affect inventory valuation, cost flow, gross margin, purchasing, sales reporting, and General Ledger accounts.Establish governance over product master data and costing attributes to improve financial accuracy and operational consistency.Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve inventory costing accuracy, operational efficiency, and financial reporting.Provide accounting leadership for ERP enhancements, system implementations, and business process changes impacting inventory accounting.Support acquisition integrations by validating inventory conversions, establishing consistent costing methodologies, and ensuring accurate inventory valuation.Manage month-end inventory accounting activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, inventory reserve analyses, and analytical reviews.Identify automation opportunities that improve data integrity, efficiency, and financial reporting.Partner with Internal and External Audit to support inventory-related audits and ensure compliance with GAAP and company policies.Develop, mentor, and provide technical leadership to accounting staff as the inventory accounting function expands.Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure inventory accuracy, costing effectiveness, and process improvements.Lead special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.RequirementsQualifications:Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant inventory accounting, cost accounting, or distribution finance experience.Prior supervisory or management experience preferred.Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and inventory accounting principles.Experience working within an average cost inventory environment is strongly preferred.Experience with ERP systems (Epicor Eclipse preferred).Strong understanding of product master data, inventory structures, assemblies, kits, and costing methodologies.Demonstrated ability to understand how operational product decisions impact accounting, financial reporting, and the General Ledger.Proven experience leading cross-functional process improvement initiatives.Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to work effectively across Finance, Operations, IT, Purchasing, and Product teams.Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to simplify complex processes while maintaining strong financial controls.