Inventory Accountant

Company: Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS)
Location: West Chicago, Illinois, USA
Salary: Up to $92,000

About SLS

Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) is a global leader in IT Asset Disposition (ITAD), server remanufacturing, data centre decommissioning and electronics recycling.

SLS works with businesses and data centres to securely manage IT assets throughout their lifecycle, including the acquisition, processing, refurbishment, resale and responsible recycling of equipment such as servers, laptops, phones and tablets.

With significant growth across the business, SLS is looking to appoint a Senior Accountant – Inventory to support the continued development of its inventory accounting function across its North American and global operations.

The Role

This is a broad Senior Accountant position with a strong focus on inventory accounting, but also wider general accounting responsibilities and exposure.

The successful candidate will help ensure inventory is accurately recorded, reconciled, valued and reported, while also playing an important role in developing and improving the processes, policies and controls surrounding inventory across SLS sites.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accountant who enjoys being hands-on, investigating issues, improving processes and working closely with operational and commercial teams.

Importantly, SLS is continuing to develop its inventory processes, so the successful candidate will not be stepping into an environment where everything is already established. They will have the opportunity to help create, implement and standardise policies, procedures and controls across multiple sites.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare and review inventory reconciliations, adjustments and supporting schedules.
Support month-end and inventory close activities, including valuation reviews, reserves and variance analysis.
Monitor inventory movements and investigate discrepancies, unprocessed transactions and reconciliation issues.
Review inventory transactions including material acquisition, processing, movements, resale and related adjustments.
Support the review and posting of settlement invoices and related inventory transactions.
Work with finance, operations, commercial, logistics and settlement teams to understand and resolve inventory issues.
Support reporting of available-for-sale inventory to commercial teams.
Assist with quarterly inventory counts and physical inventory reviews across operating sites.
Support internal and external audit requirements relating to inventory and wider accounting activities.
Help develop and maintain inventory accounting policies, procedures, controls and supporting documentation.
Identify opportunities to improve, standardise and automate inventory accounting processes.
Help implement new processes and procedures across SLS sites and support teams with their adoption.
Assist with ERP/system improvements impacting inventory accounting and reporting.
Support the wider Accounting team with general accounting activities and special projects.
Use initiative to investigate issues and develop practical solutions rather than simply following existing processes.

Why Inventory Experience Matters

Inventory at SLS is more complex than a traditional warehouse environment.

The business acquires a wide range of technology and electronic assets, including servers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets and other IT equipment, which can then be processed, refurbished, resold or recycled.

There can also be complexities around ownership, acquisition, processing and resale, meaning inventory may be physically held within the SLS network without necessarily transferring ownership to SLS at every stage.

The successful candidate therefore needs a good understanding of inventory accounting and the ability to understand how physical operational activity translates into the correct accounting treatment.

Experience within distribution, manufacturing, recycling, technology, logistics or another inventory-led environment would be particularly relevant.

Process Improvement & Change

A major part of this position will be helping SLS develop its inventory accounting framework as the business continues to grow.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Review existing processes and identify gaps.
Develop and document policies and procedures.
Implement improved inventory controls.
Help standardise processes across different operating locations.
Work with site teams to embed new processes.
Identify opportunities for greater consistency, accuracy and efficiency.
Take ownership of projects and see them through to implementation.

This role would suit someone who is creative, commercially aware, curious and enthusiastic about change, rather than someone who wants a role that is purely transactional.

Site & Travel Exposure

The role is based in West Chicago, with regular interaction with SLS operating locations.

During the first six months, there will be an expectation to periodically visit sites to build operational knowledge, understand inventory processes and provide accounting input and support.

There may be travel to locations including the Atlanta site and other SLS facilities across the US, with occasional international travel possible.

Travel will support activities such as:

Physical inventory counts
Inventory reviews
Process and control audits
Training
Implementation of new procedures
Understanding operational processes

About You

We are looking for an accountant with relevant experience who has a genuine understanding of inventory.

You may currently be working as a:

Senior Accountant
Inventory Accountant
Management Accountant
Operational Accountant
Financial Accountant
Cost Accountant

You do not need to have worked exclusively in inventory accounting. However, meaningful inventory or distribution experience is essential.

You should be comfortable working with reconciliations, investigating variances, understanding accounting processes and supporting month-end activities.

Experience working across different operating systems/ERP systems that feed into a central accounting ledger would be beneficial.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential:

Strong inventory accounting or inventory-led/distribution experience.
Experience with reconciliations and investigating variances.
Understanding of inventory movements and accounting treatment.
Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
Ability to work across finance and operational teams.
Strong attention to detail and analytical ability.
Comfortable working in a changing and growing environment.

Desirable:

Experience within recycling, technology, distribution, manufacturing, logistics or another operational/inventory environment.
Experience with settlement accounting/invoices.
Internal or external audit experience.
ERP experience, particularly where multiple operational systems interface with the accounting ledger.
CPA or CPA-track.
Experience developing policies, procedures or internal controls.

The Person

SLS is looking for someone who:

Is comfortable getting involved and rolling up their sleeves.
Takes initiative rather than waiting to be told what to do.
Enjoys solving problems and understanding the reason behind discrepancies.
Is enthusiastic about process improvement and change.
Can operate confidently with both finance and operational teams.
Is comfortable working in an environment where processes are still developing.
Wants broad exposure and the opportunity to make a visible impact.
Can take ownership of projects and drive them forward.
Is organised, analytical and commercially minded.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline required.

CPA or CPA-track preferred but not essential.

Working Environment

The role is primarily office-based, with travel to operational sites as required.

Site visits may involve working within operational environments where appropriate PPE may be required, including safety shoes, hard hat, safety glasses, ear protection and other site-specific equipment.

Salary

Up to $92,000 per annum, depending on experience.

This is an opportunity to join a growing global business in a role that offers significant exposure across inventory, accounting, operations, commercial activity, audit and process improvement.

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Due to high volumes of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.