Plant Accountant

Position Overview

Darigold is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join their Operations Accounting team as Plant Accountant. This position reports to the Operations Accounting Manager and supports all phases of the Operations Accounting process across multiple plants. The role includes partnering with Operations on plant initiatives, reporting, monitoring, and auditing while working closely with Production, Support, and Corporate Accounting teams. Darigold, the fifth largest dairy cooperative in the United States, is renowned for delivering fresh, wholesome dairy products worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• General Accounting: Ensure compliance with Darigold and plant accounting processes, maintain the integrity of the plant G/L and balance sheet, apply GAAP, participate in reporting, variance analysis, fixed asset accounting, customer claims and lead inventory accounting efforts, while liaising with Corporate Accounting teams.
• Cost Accounting: Complete the monthly financial close and reporting cycle by preparing journal entries, reconciliations, and reports, managing inventory valuation, and collaborating with Production and Warehouse teams to resolve discrepancies.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Support the Plant Controller in budgeting and forecasting by analyzing trends, compiling historical data, and preparing schedules.
• Decision Support/Business Partnering: Partner with plant management to support Operations objectives, participate in problem solving, continuous improvement initiatives, and provide analytical support for performance and cost reduction strategies.
• Cross Training/Daily Production Entry: Cross train on daily production tasks, accurately enter receipts of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging, and record production and shipments of finished products.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in Accounting/Finance or equivalent experience.
• 4-6 years of experience in an accounting or financial analyst role.
• Experience in running timely, accurate month-end closings including inventory reconciliation, adjustments, and accruals.
• Proven ability to formulate and post journal entries along with knowledge of posting accruals and adjustments.
• Understanding of budgeting processes and variance monitoring.
• Strong analytical ability, creativity, curiosity, diligence, and initiative.
• Proven self-starter with a keen interest in learning and professional development.
• Ability to multi-task and complete multiple projects in a timely manner with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Highly proficient in Excel with the aptitude to utilize a wide range of software programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a food or beverage production facility.
• Milk accounting experience.
• Inventory accounting experience.
• Experience with Oracle, Kronos, Oracle BI, SAP Business Objects and other business software.

Benefits & Perks

• 401k competitive employer matching
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits
• Employer paid life & disability coverage
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 8 weeks paid parental leave
• Education assistance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible hybrid working arrangement (up to 2 days/week after initial 90 days with approval)
• Compensation range: $78,000 - $112,426 (individual wage based on previous experience, knowledge, and skills)