Plant Accounting & Costing Leader

Westlake Chemical; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake is seeking an Accounting Manager to oversee plant accounting and cost accounting across multi-site manufacturing operations. You will ensure accuracy of inventory accounting, standard costs, variances, and financial reporting while partnering with Plant Management to improve performance.

This role leads a team of senior cost accountants, drives month-end closes, FP&A, budgeting, and liaises with internal/external auditors to maintain SOX controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required; CPA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting experience, including manufacturing accounting responsibilities.
• Strong manufacturing and cost accounting experience is required.
• Previous FP&A experience is required.
• Experience with ERP systems is required; JD Edwards experience is preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with financial reporting and analysis tools.
• Prior supervisory or people leadership experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing accounting activities, including inventory valuation, standard costing, absorption costing, and variance analysis.
• Oversee monthly inventory close processes, ensuring accurate reporting of material, labor, and overhead costs.
• Review and analyze manufacturing variances, including purchase price variances, labor variances, production variances, scrap, and inventory adjustments.
• Support physical inventory counts and cycle count programs, including variance investigation, analysis, and resolution.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting for assigned manufacturing plants.
• Oversee all accounting activities for assigned plants, including full ownership of the Profit & Loss Statement, Manufacturing Statement, inventory accounting, and all Balance Sheet accounts.
• Lead plant financial planning and analysis activities, including monthly forecasting, variance analysis, and annual budget preparation.
• Serve as a key finance business partner to plant leadership and operations management by providing financial insights, identifying risks and opportunities, and supporting strategic decision-making.
• Partner closely with internal and external auditors to support audit activities and ensure compliance with accounting policies, internal controls, and SOX requirements.
• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Senior Cost Accountants, including resource planning, training, performance management, and career development.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory management, costing methodologies, and financial reporting processes.
• Support ERP system enhancements and process automation initiatives.
• Ensure the integrity of inventory accounting and compliance with company policies and procedures.

Skills

Manufacturing accounting

Cost accounting

FP&A experience

Leadership

Financial reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

JD Edwards

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Westlake is seeking an Accounting Manager to oversee plant accounting and cost accounting across multi-site manufacturing operations. You will ensure accuracy of inventory accounting, standard costs, variances, and financial reporting while partnering with Plant Management to improve performance.

This role leads a team of senior cost accountants, drives month-end closes, FP&A, budgeting, and liaises with internal/external auditors to maintain SOX controls.