The Operations Accountant - Northwest Ordinance Distilling (NOD) , New Albany IN

Sazerac Company Overview

Build your career at Sazerac. The Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world, including Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits including Fireball, Southern Comfort, Margaretville Spirits, Dr. McGillicuddy’s, 99 Brand, and Platinum Vodka. Since 1850, Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent, American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since 2008, Sazerac has experienced double-digit growth every year! We attribute our success to a unique blend of our history, culture, brands, relationships, innovation, technology, and most importantly, our people. Whether you are a recent graduate or an experienced professional, Sazerac provides extraordinary opportunities for growth with competitive salaries and benefits in an exciting, entrepreneurial industry.

Job Description/Responsibilities

The Operations Accountant NOD is responsible for supporting operations and finance with the primary goal being cost and asset control. Accountabilities include balance sheet reconciliation, month end accounting and closing process, variance reporting and analysis, forecasting, cost reduction support, developing and auditing inventory control procedures, physical inventory leadership, standard cost setting, data integrity (BOMs, Routes, Item Set Up), and financial reporting. This role reports to the Operations Controller, and is based out of Louisville, KY.

• Develop and maintain standard cost data for new and existing products and ensure accurate inventory valuation. Establish and verify component costs, labor costs and overhead costs used for inventory valuation and COGS posting.  Coordinate consistency between the Operational Cost System and the Managerial Costing System.
• Support the plant leadership and provide analyses of plant operations, budgets, and financial results. Communicate, assist and advise department heads in the Monthly Variance Analysis.  Provide action plan leadership.  Ensure timely and accurate month end close and reconciliation of balance sheet.   Ensure that all financial activities are following all laws and GAAP.  Continuously improve the handling, recording and reporting of all financial data.  Recommend and implement process improvements including streamlining the close process, financial  reporting, account analysis, etc.  Identify areas for improvement in operations.
• Develop and maintain daily inventory control validation, cycle count programs, auditing of procedures, and communication of issues related to inventory accuracy. Coordinate and oversee physical inventory counts and investigate and resolve count issues each period. Control the overall assets of the plant related to inventory, fixed assets, spending controls, and cost reductions.
• Maintain a customer service mindset and attitude to help control the business, be a valued business partner with all functions of the business, and provide accurate and timely data to help make good business decisions. Understand & backfill when needed the Master Data set up processes in SYS21.
• Promote functional efficiency so that non value added work is reduced or eliminated, so that it is easier to complete tasks, etc.. Work with cross functional teams as well as Costing functional partners to promote consistency in operations. Detect cost reduction opportunities and lead cost reduction efforts.  Ensure adherence to Personal Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Environmental Policies and Practices.
• Provide assistance to external auditing organizations. Interact with external audit and prepare required audit documentation.  Maintain proficiency of US tax rules for Federal Excise Tax (FET) as it relates to product inventory location and movements.
• Work with operations to establish meaningful, timely and immediate metrics to help manage the business and measure performance.
• Establish and follow development plan to achieve career development and/or advancement.
• Work with manager to identify skill development needs; create and execute a plan for improving one skill area each year.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor Degree in Accounting, Business, Logistics or related
• 5 years accounting experience
• 3 years cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with inventory control, perpetual inventory and budget process.
• Proficient in Microsoft office products
• Experience with B/S reconciliation and production metrics

Preferred:

• Experience in the alcoholic beverage industry
• Experience in development of query programs on AS400 or similar proficiency