Analyst Principal

Westlake; Stafford (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake is seeking a Principal Analyst within the North America Finance team to own product costing and Material Ledger processes across the Compounds business. You will partner with operations and plant leadership to provide cost insights, validate standard costs, and support accounting with accurate inventory valuation.

The role emphasizes strong internal controls, SOX compliance, and cross-functional collaboration across FP&A, operations, and accounting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in cost accounting, manufacturing finance, or FP&A
• Strong experience with product costing, inventory, and variance analysis
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred
• Experience with SAP S/4 and Material Ledger preferred
• Experience in a multi-site environment preferred
• Familiarity with BPC, JDE, or similar systems preferred

Responsibilities

• Execute and maintain product costing and Material Ledger processes, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Analyze cost components, material consumption, and production variances
• Support and validate standard costs, BOMs, and cost allocations
• Identify and resolve inconsistencies in costing and inventory data
• Analyze results versus plan/forecast, identifying key drivers and risks
• Lead process improvements surrounding financial analysis of inventory, costing and other key accounting areas
• Prepare and post journal entries related to inventory, costing, manufacturing activity and other key accounting areas
• Perform account reconciliations for inventory, cost-related accounts and other key accounting areas
• Deliver monthly variance analysis and reporting, with clear explanations of business drivers
• Support financial reporting aligned with operational activity
• Calculate and analyze needed inventory reserves to ensure appropriate valuation of inventory

Skills

Cost accounting

Manufacturing finance

Financial analysis

SOX controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field

CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred

Tools

SAP S/4

Material Ledger

BPC / JDE

Job description

Summary

This role is a key member of the North America Finance team, responsible for the execution and analysis of product costing and Material Ledger activities across the Compounds business. The Principal Analyst partners closely with operations and plant leadership to provide insights into manufacturing performance, cost drivers, and inventory, while supporting accounting teams to ensure accurate financial results, strong internal controls, and consistency across the region in inventory and other key accounting areas. This position bridges operations, FP&A, and accounting, combining hands-on costing execution with financial analysis and operational support within the North America scope.

Key Responsibilities

Product Costing & Material Ledger

• Execute and maintain product costing and Material Ledger processes, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Analyze cost components, material consumption, and production variances
• Support and validate standard costs, BOMs, and cost allocations
• Identify and resolve inconsistencies in costing and inventory data

Financial Planning & Performance

• Analyze results versus plan/forecast, identifying key drivers and risks
• Lead process improvements surrounding financial analysis of inventory, costing and other key accounting areas

Financial Close & Reporting

• Prepare and post journal entries related to inventory, costing, manufacturing activity and other key accounting areas (T&D, AP Clearing, invoice coding, etc.)
• Perform account reconciliations for inventory, cost-related accounts and other key accounting areas (T&D, AP Clearing, invoice coding, etc.)
• Deliver monthly variance analysis and reporting, with clear explanations of business drivers
• Support financial reporting aligned with operational activity
• Calculate and analyze needed inventory reserves to ensure appropriate valuation of inventory

Controls & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to SOX controls, internal policies, and standard processes
• Support audit requests and documentation, ensuring accuracy and transparency
• Partner with accounting leadership to maintain strong financial discipline and data integrity

Qualifications, Education And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in cost accounting, manufacturing finance, or FP&A
• Strong experience with product costing, inventory, and variance analysis
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred
• Experience with SAP S/4 and Material Ledger preferred
• Experience in a multi-site environment preferred
• Familiarity with BPC, JDE, or similar systems preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.