Cost Accountant

Where Conviviality is at work.

North American Distillers is a global brand company within Pernod Ricard's Gold Brand Unit, the Group's Aged Spirits & Champagne division. As the steward of a leading portfolio of American whiskey brands including Jefferson's, Skrewball, Rabbit Hole, TX, and Smooth Ambler, we leverage our global capabilities and deep expertise to accelerate growth and champion the craftsmanship and diversity of American whiskey.

Working at North American Distillers is all about igniting conviviality in all that we do. Derived from the French word, convivialite...it means human connection, authenticity, friendly, and jovial. Conviviality is energy and spirit with a splash of je ne sais quoi and is a core philosophy around how we live and work at Pernod Ricard.

Guided by our 4 core values: (1) grounded in the real; (2) fiercely authentic; (3) passion for challenge; and (4) connected beyond borders; we are team players, dream makers, trailblazers, movers and (cocktail) shakers. We have a passion for living life to the fullest, making new friends every day, and realizing our potential as people and as a business!

The salary range for this role, based in Fort Smith, AR, is $62,300.00to $77,850.00. The range may vary if the role outside of this location. Base salaries are determined during our interview process, by assessing a candidate'sexperience, skills against internal peers and against the scope and responsibilities of the position.

Job Summary:

The Cost Accountant will support the Finance team at Pernod Ricard USA's Fort Smith site by providing cost analysis, operational financial reporting, inventory support, and insight into production and distribution improvement opportunities. This role works closely with the Controller, Cost Accounting Manager, Operations leaders, Plant Management, Procurement, and Finance leadership to improve reporting accuracy, analyze spending and variances, support budgeting and forecasting, and identify opportunities to streamline processes.

This is a strong opportunity for someone who enjoys working close to the business, translating operational activity into financial insight, and helping teams make informed decisions in a manufacturing environment.

Who Will Love This Job:

You will thrive in this role if you enjoy digging into financial and operational data, understanding how costs flow through a manufacturing operation, and turning analysis into practical recommendations. You are detail-oriented, curious, and comfortable partnering cross-functionally with Operations, Plant Management, Procurement, Finance, and Cost Accounting teams.

You will also enjoy this job if you like a balance of recurring monthly reporting, hands-on inventory and cost analysis, process improvement work, and project-based initiatives that support operational efficiency, quality, and plant performance.

What You'll Do:

• Prepare bi-monthly and monthly Operations financial reports, including plant financial reporting, corporate finance reporting, spending analysis, and recommendations for improvement.

• Partner with Operations Directors, Plant Management, and Finance leadership to support budgeting and latest forecast processes.

• Lead or support meetings with Operations Directors and Plant Management to review spending, analyze results, and identify areas for improvement.

• Analyze financial system reporting related to supplier complaints, quarantined inventory, quality loss reporting, debit memos, product disposal authorizations, and other inventory-related issues.

• Review supplier complaints, quantify financial impact, collect required documentation, and prepare supplier debit memos.

• Coordinate with Operations to prepare product disposal authorization forms for write-offs of finished goods and raw materials.

• Conduct monthly quality loss reporting meetings with Operations to support timely and accurate reporting of inventory on quality holds.

• Maintain related reporting for Plant Management and the Vice President of Procurement, including risk identification and reporting.

• Collaborate with the Cost Accounting Manager and Cost Accountant to maintain accurate standard costs in the company's enterprise resource planning system and prepare analytical reviews for financial planning and analysis.

• Support monthly analysis, reconciliations, and reporting tied to plant performance, inventory, cost control, and operational improvement.

• Participate in special projects as assigned, including serving as an active member of the Fort Smith Continuous Improvement Team.

• Support Fort Smith quality, safety, and environmental management practices, including safe work practices, quality standards, sustainability, waste reduction, and responsible use of natural resources.

What's In It for Me?

Being part of an inclusive and diverse company where professional development and internal career mobility are front and center to our talent strategy. This means your career at Pernod Ricard has many possibilities. You'll be part of a culture that celebrates the rich diversity of our people across the globe, as well as our long-standing commitment to making exceptional products, giving back to our communities, and honoring our responsibility to preserve the environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

• 5+ years of accounting experience, preferably within a manufacturing, plant, supply chain, or cost management environment.

• Experience with cost analysis, budgeting, forecasting, inventory, financial reporting, standard costing, variance analysis, reconciliations, or operational finance.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial and operational data, quantify financial impact, identify risks, and provide practical recommendations.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

• Experience with SAP, enterprise resource planning systems, financial information systems, or similar reporting tools is a plus.

• Ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, Procurement, Plant Management, and Cost Accounting teams.

• Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and ability to manage recurring deadlines and monthly reporting cycles.

• Comfort working with confidential financial information.

• Experience supporting supplier complaints, debit memos, inventory write-offs, quality holds, product disposal authorizations, quality loss reporting, or continuous improvement initiatives is a plus.

• Commitment to quality, safety, operational excellence, sustainability, and good manufacturing practices.

Travel:

• Minimal travel is required, estimated at approximately 5% of the time.

When you join North American Distillers, you are part of the Pernod Ricard family. You'll experience a workplace that is rich in heritage, driven by our iconic brands and a long-standing commitment to sustainability, safety, and giving back to the people and communities where we work. We know that happiness at work starts with that feeling of belonging you get from an inclusive culture where being uniquely you is celebrated. Our values are lived, they drive our behaviors, and it's what brings our culture to life.

Our work philosophy celebrates the magic of human connection with the flexibility needed to provide one's most meaningful contribution. We offer employees great benefits and perks to toast to a life filled with support. Check out PRUSABenefits.com for details.

This recruitment process uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to match applicant skills with role requirements and qualifications.

North American Distillers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It employs qualified individuals based solely on ability, training, and experience, and does not and will not, discriminate for or against any employee or applicant for employment or promotion based upon actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service or any other classification protected by law. Offers will be subject to United States local terms.

NADL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Pernod Ricard USA will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. To request reasonable accommodation during the application process, contact us at PR_NA_TalentAcquisition@pernod-ricard.com.