Lead Management Accountant

We Make Life More Rewarding and Dignified 

Location: ​Ballina​
Department: ​ 

Summary:

The Lead Management Accountant provides financial support and insight to the manufacturing operation, partnering closely with Operations and other key stakeholders. This is a hands on role with responsibility for monitoring operational and financial performance, supporting informed decision-making, and ensuring compliance with company policies, accounting standards and internal controls.

Responsibilities:

Finance Business Partnering & Operational Support

• Review daily operational and financial performance metrics and actively participate in daily Operations meetings.
• Act as a key Finance partner to Operations and other internal stakeholders, providing timely financial support, analysis and insight.
• Analyse financial and operational performance, clearly explaining key variances and financial implications to non-finance stakeholders.
• Support Operations in identifying and implementing actions to improve financial performance.

Financial Reporting & Close

• Prepare the management reporting pack for month-end and year-end, including journals, reconciliations, variance analysis and supporting commentary.
• Analyse financial performance against plan, explain key variances and work with stakeholders to identify and drive corrective actions.
• Maintain strong balance sheet control through robust reconciliations, investigation and timely resolution of issues.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, Group policies and internal control requirements.

Annual Operating Plan Process (AOP)

• Coordinate the plant Annual Operating Plan in partnership with Sourcing, Operations and Plant Management.
• Support the development of manufacturing budgets, standard costs and key planning assumptions.
• Monitor and approve changes to standard costs throughout the year in accordance with established controls.
• Provide forecasts and projections of key variances against AOP, highlighting risks and opportunities to plant management.

Long Term Planning Process

• Support the strategic planning process by coordinating financial projections over a five-year horizon in partnership with Operations and Global teams.
• Provide financial analysis and insight to support longer-term operational and investment decisions.

Controls, Compliance & Audit

• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of on-site inventory, including oversight of obsolescence provisions and adherence to cycle-counting requirements.
• Maintain strong balance sheet control through robust reconciliations and issue resolution
• Support internal and external audits, including preparation of schedules and responses
• Identify and remediate control gaps or process weaknesses
• Ensure adherence to SOX / internal control frameworks where applicable

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise, and automate finance processes
• Contribute to finance transformation or system implementation projects
• Develop and maintain clear process documentation and standard operating procedures.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives

Work Experience Requirements

• Number of Overall Years Necessary: 5-8 of relevant experience in a finance or accounting role is desirable
• A third-level qualification in business or a related discipline
• Proven experience in a similar role, with a good understanding of the responsibilities listed above.

Education Requirements

• Degree in Business or a related discipline

Specialized Skills/Technical Knowledge:

• Completion of a Professional Accounting Qualification CIMA/ACCA/ACA
• A strong knowledge of MS Excel is a prerequisite for this position and knowledge of SAP would be a distinct advantage.
• SAP experience desirable.

EOE Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

​Job Req ID: 36633