Position Summary

The Senior Cost Accountant is responsible for leading plant cost accounting activities, inventory valuation, manufacturing variance analysis, financial reporting, and business performance support for the Tenneco Blacksburg facility. This position partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Human Resources, and Plant Leadership to provide accurate financial information, identify cost improvement opportunities, and support strategic business decisions.

The ideal candidate possesses strong manufacturing accounting experience, advanced analytical capabilities, and the ability to communicate financial results effectively across all levels of the organization while maintaining compliance with company policies, internal controls, and GAAP requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Lead the development and maintenance of standard costs for manufactured and purchased components.
• Analyze material, labor, overhead, absorption, and scrap variances on a monthly basis.
• Investigate cost discrepancies and partner with Operations to identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Monitor Bills of Material, routings, labor standards, and manufacturing cost structures.
• Support product costing, quoting activities, and profitability analysis.
• Provide financial support for cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze operational performance metrics and manufacturing trends.

Inventory Management & Controls

• Ensure accurate inventory valuation in compliance with corporate accounting policies.
• Lead inventory reconciliations, cycle count programs, and annual physical inventory support.
• Partner with Logistics and Operations to improve inventory accuracy and material flow controls.
• Investigate inventory variances and support corrective actions.
• Review excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory reserves.

Financial Reporting & Month-End Close

• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Analyze financial statements and explain variances to budget, forecast, and prior year.
• Prepare management reports and support key financial metrics for plant leadership.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of corporate reporting requirements.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Support

• Participate in annual operating plan development and monthly forecasting activities.
• Monitor plant spending and identify risks and opportunities.
• Support labor reporting, overtime analysis, and workforce cost tracking.
• Assist leadership in evaluating business cases, capital expenditures, and investment opportunities.
• Provide financial guidance to support operational decision-making.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with GAAP, SOX requirements, and corporate accounting policies.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Ensure financial processes are properly documented and controlled.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across Finance and Operations.

Key Performance Indicators

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5-7 years of accounting or finance experience.
• Minimum 3 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Automotive manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience with inventory accounting, standard costing, and financial analysis required.
• Experience supporting plant operations and manufacturing leadership.
• ERP experience required; Plex, SAP, Oracle, or similar systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and manufacturing accounting principles.
• Advanced Excel skills including financial modeling, pivot tables, and data analysis.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, BOM structures, and variance analysis.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate financial information into actionable business insights.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for keyboarding and office equipment operation.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to walk the manufacturing floor and interact with production operations.
• Required use of PPE when visiting production areas.

Work Environment

This position operates in both office and manufacturing settings. The employee will regularly interact with production, engineering, supply chain, and leadership personnel and may be exposed to noise, heat, forklifts, and manufacturing equipment while on the production floor.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Tenneco is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace