Senior Financial & Cost Analyst

American Fruits and Flavors, LLC; San Fernando (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent manufacturing company in California is seeking an experienced Senior Financial and Cost Analyst to support a dual-system environment during a 2.5-year SAP S/4HANA implementation. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in finance and accounting, strong SAP skills, and a background in manufacturing cost accounting. Responsibilities include maintaining accounting integrity and developing financial reports. Competitive salary range of $81K to $95K, with a focus on leadership potential and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of accounting and finance experience.
• Background in food & beverage or regulated manufacturing industries.
• Comfortable operating in a changing, project-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the Finance organization during a 2.5-year SAP S/4HANA implementation.
• Maintain accounting integrity, inventory accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and maintain financial and operational reports.

Skills

SAP experience

Advanced Excel skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Inventory accounting experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Senior Financial and Cost Analyst to play a key role in supporting our Finance organization through a 2.5‑year SAP S/4HANA implementation, while simultaneously maintaining operations within our legacy Microsoft Dynamics environment. The ideal candidate has strong hands‑on SAP expertise, deep knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting, and the ability to thrive in a dual‑system environment. Upon successful completion of the SAP S/4HANA program, this position is expected to evolve into a permanent role within the Finance organization.

General Description of Duties

The Senior Financial and Cost Analyst will support the Finance organization during a 2.5-year SAP S/4HANA implementation, while continuing to operate within our legacy Microsoft Dynamics environment. This role is critical to maintaining accounting integrity, inventory accuracy, and regulatory compliance throughout the system transformation. This individual must maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in ways that foster good relationships with those inside and outside the company, while achieving and enhancing performance standards.

Essential Job Functions

Operational Accounting & Close

• Prepare and review inventory and overhead‑related month‑end journal entries
• Perform inventory reconciliations, transaction reviews, and reserve analyses
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities during system transition
• Ensure consistency and accuracy between SAP S/4 and Microsoft Dynamics during parallel operations
• Maintain and analyze product costing and pricing models
• Support standard cost updates, variance analysis, and margin reporting
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain on cost drivers and process improvements

Inventory Accounting

• Oversee inventory transactions, reserves, and adjustments
• Analyze slow‑moving, obsolete, and excess inventory
• Ensure accurate valuation and reporting in compliance with GAAP

TTB & Regulatory Compliance

• Prepare and submit TTB drawback and excise tax claims
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations
• Support audits and regulatory inquiries related to inventory and tax filings

Reporting & Analysis

• Develop and maintain financial and operational reports
• Perform detailed variance analysis and provide insights to leadership
• Support management reporting during system cutover and stabilization

SAP S/4 Implementation Support

• Act as a key finance subject matter expert during SAP S/4 design, testing, and deployment
• Participate in UAT, data validation, and cutover activities
• Help define and improve future‑state finance and inventory processes
• Prepare process flowcharts and accounting procedures of SAP S/4 and legacy systems

This description reflects the principal functions of the job for the purpose of job evaluation. It should not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements of the job, nor shall be construed as giving exclusive responsibility for functions described.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• Minimum 10 years of accounting and finance experience
• SAP experience (S/4HANA strongly preferred)
• Strong experience with inventory accounting in a manufacturing environment
• Advanced Excel skills, including:
• Pivot tables; VLOOKUP / XLOOKUP; Macros and complex formulas
• Ability to manage detailed accounting work while supporting large‑scale system transformation
• Background in food & beverage, or regulated manufacturing industries
• Prior involvement in SAP implementation or finance transformation projects
• Must report to any company facility according to company need, sometimes with same‑day notice
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• High attention to detail with the ability to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with Operations, IT, and Supply Chain
• Comfortable operating in a changing, project‑driven environment
• Ownership mindset with long‑term leadership potential.

LOCATION

DEPARTMENT

Finance

JOB TYPE

Finance

SALARY RANGE

SALARY RANGE 81- 95K Annual Salary Compensation Range: Actual salary/hourly wages are determined upon a variety of factors such as level of experience, skills, education and /or certifications, and location.