Plant Staff Accountant

Position Summary The Plant Accountant is responsible for the financial integrity of manufacturing operations at the Mills River facility. This role owns cost accounting, inventory valuation, month-end close, and variance analysis, and serves as the financial business partner to plant operations leadership. The Plant Accountant translates shop-floor activity into accurate financial results, identifies cost-saving and margin-improvement opportunities, and ensures compliance with internal controls and accounting standards. Key Responsibilities Cost Accounting & Inventory Maintain and analyze standard costs; lead the annual standard cost roll and review cost updates throughout the year. Value raw material, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory; ensure accuracy of inventory records in the ERP system. Analyze and explain manufacturing variances (purchase price, material usage, labor, overhead absorption, and yield). Coordinate and reconcile physical inventory counts and cycle counts; investigate and resolve discrepancies. Monitor and analyze scrap, obsolescence, and excess inventory reserves. Month-End Close & Reporting Own the plant’s month-end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations. Prepare and analyze the plant P&L; deliver clear variance commentary against budget, forecast, and prior periods. Report on key operational and financial metrics (cost per unit, absorption, labor efficiency, overhead spend). Support consolidation and reporting requirements from corporate finance. Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis Partner with plant leadership to build the annual operating budget and periodic forecasts. Provide cost analysis to support pricing, make-vs-buy decisions, capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives. Develop and maintain financial models for production planning and capacity decisions. Capital & Fixed Assets Track capital expenditures against approved budgets; prepare capital appropriation requests and post-completion reviews. Maintain the fixed asset ledger, including additions, disposals, transfers, and depreciation. Controls & Compliance Ensure adherence to internal controls, company policies, and applicable accounting standards (GAAP). Support internal and external audits. Identify and implement process improvements that strengthen control and efficiency. Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. 3+ years of accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing or cost accounting environment. Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing variance analysis. Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel skills. Solid grasp of GAAP and internal control principles. Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate financial data into actionable insight for non-finance partners. Preferred Experience with Epicor. CPA, CMA, or progress toward certification. Experience in a contract manufacturing setting. Familiarity with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies. Competencies High attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to manage deadlines and prioritize during the close cycle. Effective communication and partnership across finance and operations. Self-starter who proactively investigates and resolves issues. Working Conditions 100% onsite work location. Combination of office and plant-floor environments. May require occasional time on the production floor; appropriate PPE provided. Periodic extended hours during month-end close, physical inventory, and budget cycles.