Inventory Staff Accountant
WESTERN FOODSPosition summary The Inventory Staff Accountant owns the accuracy of inventory on Western Foods' books across its rice and flour milling operations. Reporting directly to the CFO, this role records, reconciles, and analyzes raw grain, work-in-process, finished goods, and byproduct inventory, and turns that data into reliable month-end results and cost information. The position works closely with plant operations, receiving, and commodity merchandising teams. It is a hands-on role for an accountant who wants to understand how a mill runs and build stronger inventory controls in SYSPRO. Key responsibilities Inventory accounting and costing Record and maintain inventory transactions for raw grain, work-in-process, finished goods, packaging, and byproducts. Calculate and maintain standard and actual product costs, including milling yields, conversion costs, and overhead absorption. Analyze and explain cost variances (purchase price, yield, usage, and production variances) and inventory shrink. Support inventory valuation, including lower-of-cost-or-net-realizable-value and mark-to-market adjustments where applicable. Month-end close and reconciliation Prepare inventory-related journal entries, accruals, and reserves for month-end close. Reconcile perpetual inventory in SYSPRO to the general ledger and to physical and warehouse records each month. Reconcile grain receipts, shipments, and in-transit balances between scale tickets, receiving records, and the ERP. Prepare inventory roll-forwards and supporting schedules for the CFO, auditors, and lenders. Physical counts and controls Plan, coordinate, and reconcile monthly and year-end physical inventory counts at the mills. Investigate and resolve count-to-book differences and document root causes. Design, document, and monitor inventory controls, including receiving, transfers, production reporting, and adjustments. Partner with operations to improve the accuracy and timeliness of transactions entered in SYSPRO. Reporting and analysis Produce recurring inventory reports, including quantities, values, aging, and slow-moving items. Support commodity position and hedge reporting by reconciling physical inventory to position reports. Provide inventory data for borrowing base certificates, covenant reporting, and budgets. Support the annual audit and respond to auditor requests related to inventory. Other Assist with special projects, system improvements, and process automation as assigned by the CFO. Travel occasionally to other company facilities and off site storage for counts and process reviews. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Accounting. 2+ years of accounting experience, with exposure to inventory or cost accounting. Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, especially inventory valuation and cost flow. Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, reconciliations). Experience working in an ERP system. Preferred Experience in food manufacturing, grain milling, agribusiness, or another commodity-based industry. 2+ years of accounting experience, with exposure to inventory or cost accounting Skills and competencies Accuracy and ownership: catches discrepancies, traces them to the source, and follows through until they are fixed. Analytical thinking: explains why numbers moved, not just what they are. Operational curiosity: willing to spend time on the mill floor and in receiving to understand how transactions are created. Continuous improvement: looks for ways to simplify, control, and automate inventory processes. Working conditions Office-based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, with regular time in the mill, warehouse, and receiving areas. Plant areas may involve noise, dust, temperature variation, and required safety equipment. Extended hours may be needed during month-end close, physical counts, and the annual audit. Occasional overnight travel to other company facilities. Pay: $69,000.00 - $81,000.00 per year Work Location: In person