Manager, Inventory & Cost Accounting

MP Materials; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the rare earth supply chain is seeking a Manager for Inventory and Cost Accounting. This role involves overseeing inventory valuation, implementing financial controls, and leveraging SAP for reporting accuracy. Candidates should have a strong background in accounting with a focus on manufacturing processes. Join a mission-driven team committed to innovation and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in inventory and cost accounting.
• Advanced understanding of U.S. GAAP and inventory valuation principles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full inventory valuation cycle including standard costing.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives with IT, operations, and engineering.

Skills

Analytical

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

CPA/CMA

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

Company Overview:

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is on a mission to restore the full rare earth supply chain to the United States of America. From electric cars to wind turbines and drones, rare earths are essential to the low-carbon, electrified technologies that power modern life. We hire ambitious, mission-driven people motivated to solve problems and affect change. Our values are grounded in teamwork, resiliency, and integrity, with an enduring commitment to our employees, community, and the environment. In the coming years, MP Materials will grow from a core materials and chemical processing company into a large industrial manufacturer. Our employees will lead this exciting transformation and grow professionally with us.

Position Overview:

As Manager, Inventory and Cost Accounting, you will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of the Company’s inventory and cost accounting processes. You will ensure that inventory valuation, costing methodologies, and financial controls align with the Company’s policies and U.S. GAAP. A critical focus of the role is leveraging SAP to automate and enhance usefulness and timeliness of reporting, drive inventory accuracy, and ensure compliance. You will oversee cost accountant(s) and partner cross-functionally to support operational growth and strategic initiatives.

Position Responsibilities:

• Oversee the full inventory valuation cycle including standard costing, variance analysis, and month-end close processes.
• Establish and maintain procedures to monitor and evaluate inventory obsolescence and excess or slow-moving inventory, including preparation of reserves.
• Perform and document lower of cost or net realizable value analyses on a quarterly basis to ensure inventory is accurately valued in accordance with US GAAP.
• Identify improvement of internal processes in a controlled, SOX-compliant environment.
• Ensure proper internal controls and financial procedures related to inventory and cost accounting.
• Review daily/weekly production reports and ensure timely and accurate capture of costs in SAP (FI/CO, MM, PP modules).
• Analyze and monitor purchase price variance (PPV), labor efficiency, and usage variances; investigate significant deviations and recommend corrective actions.
• Review and update cost standards for materials, labor, and overhead regularly; partner with manufacturing and supply chain on cost inputs.
• Review the cost of goods sold and production reports.
• Review inventory accounts and roll forward of inventory activities.
• Evaluate the monthly activity rates and standard costing calculations to verify the accuracy of month-end close reporting.
• Review and approve monthly journal entries from the cost accountant(s).
• Complete monthly analysis on the under/over absorption by department as it relates to the set standards.
• Complete quarterly review and analysis of actual costs and activity rates to determine updated standard cost rates that are needed.
• Implement new costing functionality within SAP for expanding manufacturing departments within the company.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives with IT, operations, and engineering to improve data integrity, reporting, and costing analytics.
• Assist in the setup and implementation of additional departments and companies, as it relates to production, new products, and customers, within SAP.
• Support external and internal audits with required documentation and analysis.
• Mentor and lead a small team of cost accountant(s).

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA/CMA strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in inventory and cost accounting in a manufacturing environment.
• Advanced understanding of U.S. GAAP, standard costing, and inventory valuation principles.
• Strong experience using SAP ERP, particularly FI/CO, MM, and PP modules.
• Demonstrated experience in performing inventory reserve analysis and lower of cost or net realizable value assessments.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills; attention to detail with ability to work under pressure and manage deadlines.
• Strong Excel and financial modeling skills; experience with financial reporting systems.

Desired Qualities:

• Excellent leadership, people management, communication and influencing skills.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Ability to manage, collaborate with, and influence key stakeholders.
• Clear communicator with ability to simplify complex financial information for various audiences.
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives and ERP optimization projects.
• Proactive mindset with ability to identify risks and implement sustainable solutions.
• Demonstrates business strategy in day-to-day operations and delivery.
• Proven ability to drive for result and accountability of business needs.
• Verifiable record of career stability and project management success.
• Demonstrates decisiveness in resolving business problems, making decisions, and identifying priorities.

MP Materials is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Underrepresented groups/Women/Disabled/Veterans are encouraged to apply. Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet the position’s requirements will still be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

Your Right to Work – In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment verification document form upon hire.

For Assistance with Application - Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. Contact Human Resources Department at 702-844-6111; dial 7 when prompted for HR; 1700 South Pavilion Center Dr. 8th Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89135 to discuss reasonable accommodation.