THE ROLE

As a Cost Accounting Manager, you will play a pivotal role in managing the transactions and accounting for inventory, inventory reserve, and purchase price variance. You will consistently find new ways to drive efficiency and ensure accuracy through improving the company's cost of goods sold and inventory cost accounting processes. This role will be a key business partner to the Finance Team, Operations Team, and the EMJ Supply Chain partners. This position is a key role in managing our inventory assets to ensure accuracy. We are looking for a finance professional who is not only technically strong in cost accounting but who actively embraces AI and emerging technologies as tools to elevate the quality and efficiency of their work. The ideal candidate uses AI thoughtfully - to automate routine tasks, surface anomalies faster, and free up capacity for higher-value analysis and business partnership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively participate in the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close process, which includes review or preparation of journal entries, review of balance sheet reconciliations and analysis of balance sheet and income statement, specifically focused on inventory, COGS and purchase price variance accounts. Utilize AI tools to streamline monthly close tasks.
• Perform cost accounting activities, including developing and analyzing standard costs, excess & obsolete reserves, scrap analysis, inventory variance reviews, and analysis and reporting of inventory and COGS.
• Assist with the processing of inventory receipts and inventory transfers.
• Collaborate with Operations to validate and update Bill of Materials (BOM's)
• Mentor and manage the accounts payable outsourced team
• Liaison with supply partners and ensure that inventory and reconciliations are accurate and timely.
• Review and analysis of the reconciled general ledger accounts on a monthly basis including book to perpetual inventory, inventory reserves and PPV balances.
• Collaborate with supply chain and other cross-functional departments to ensure completeness and accuracy of COGS, operating expenses and inventory balances.
• Drive process improvements in the accounting and reporting of inventory, COGS and PPV.
• Manage external audit requests and PBC items for the year-end audits.
• Participate in the annual site visits to conduct physical inventory counts.
• Manage and/or assist with other projects as required.
• Leverage AI assisted tools to accelerate variance analysis, identify cost anomalies, and generate reporting for management
• Champion the adoption of AI and automation tools within the cost accounting function - identifying manual, repetitive workflows that can be improved through intelligent automation.

THE CANDIDATE

Candidates must be passionate, organized, and love developing personal care, grooming, or skin care products. This person is highly organized and detail-oriented, with excellent communication skills. While this candidate loves timelines and getting organized, this person has a remarkable ability to remain calm and flexible in the fast-paced, changing world of product development in a high-growth environment. The ideal candidate will be an intelligent team player - someone approachable with a positive, innovative and professional attitude who works smarter, not harder and takes on a "sleeves-rolled-up" and a "can-do" attitude when faced with challenges. A true ambassador for EMJ, both internally and externally.

CAPABILITIES + SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting, finance, business, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in a cost and inventory accounting role
• Deep experience in working with ERP systems
• Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to work through data to find opportunities and actionable insights that are not readily apparent and clearly communicate them to a diverse set of stakeholders in understandable and actionable ways.
• A drive to continuously learn and improve
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills, strong work ethic and emphasis on attention to detail
• Excellent spreadsheet and Google Sheets skills
• Experience with NetSuite or Ramp is a plus
• AI-forward mindset - actively curious about emerging tools, willing to experiment, and able to evaluate where AI adds genuine value versus where human judgment is essential.

LOCATION: Mill Valley, CA (Hybrid: Mon/Tues/Thurs in Office, Wed/Fri Remote)

HOURS: Full Time, Exempt, Salaried

MANAGER: Controller

COMP & BENEFITS: Competitive Base Salary, Annual Bonus Potential, Long Term Incentive Plan, 100% EE + 80% Dependents Covered Medical, Dental, Vision. Life Insurance, STD/LTD. 401(k) with Generous Match, No Vesting Period. 4 weeks Vacation, 9 accrued Sick Days, 11 Paid Holidays.

* Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship