Operational Excellence Manager Jobs in Tennessee

This person partners with operations teams to reduce costs and improve gross margin, and manages inventory transaction accuracy to prevent major inventory write-offs or write-downs. Provides timely updates on cost rolls and manages the annual cost roll with new rates. This person supports plant operations through detailed cost analysis, inventory accounting, ERP oversight, and month-end close activities. This position offers strong visibility across finance and operations while serving as a key liaison between accounting, manufacturing leadership, and system users.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in manufacturing cost accounting, inventory controls, standard costing, and ERP systems within a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Calculate and maintain department overhead rates
• Develop and maintain actual and standard costs, including direct material, labor, and overhead
• Analyze manufacturing cost variances related to labor, yield, overhead absorption, and production activity
• Partner with operations leadership to identify drivers behind variances and recommend standard cost updates
• Monitor and analyze raw material, outside service, and WIP cost movements
• Support monthly pre-close and month-end close activities within the plant ERP environment
• Maintain inventory costing accuracy across multiple plant and Oracle locations
• Update and maintain LIFO department rates
• Analyze profitability, absorption, and manufacturing performance metrics
• Review and monitor inventory movements, revaluations, physical inventory adjustments, and cost transactions
• Monitor finished goods inventory relief and perform adjustments as needed
• Serve as the Business Process Owner (BPO) for plant ERP modules related to cost, inventory, lot traceability, and reporting
• Support manufacturing teams on lot traceability processes and ERP-related troubleshooting
• Participate in ERP testing, implementation updates, and process improvements
• Monitor and support shop floor labor reporting processes
• Maintain strong internal controls related to inventory management and segregation of duties
• Perform periodic ERP security reviews and business impact assessments
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and inventory valuation reporting
• Support physical inventories and audit-related activities
• Create, review, and approve operational activity instructions
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across accounting and manufacturing operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required
• CPA, CMA, or progress toward certification preferred
• 3–5 years of cost accounting experience within a manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, inventory accounting, and manufacturing operations
• Experience supporting month-end close processes
• Experience working within manufacturing ERP systems
• Prior exposure to inventory controls, audit support, and segregation of duties
• Experience supporting ERP modules related to cost, inventory, or lot traceability preferred
• Ability to partner cross-functionally with operations and plant leadership

Preferred Background

• Manufacturing environments with complex inventory flows, labor reporting, or traceability requirements
• Exposure to regulated or process-driven manufacturing operations
• Experience serving as a system super-user, ERP lead, or Business Process Owner within a plant environment

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About Augmentis
Augmentis is a specialized recruiting firm focused on accounting, finance, procurement, and engineering talent across the U.S. We partner with growth‑oriented companies to match high‑impact professionals with meaningful roles.

To learn more about Augmentis, visit our website: www.augment-is.com

Representation/employer clarification:

Augmentis is conducting this search on behalf of our client. The selected candidate will be employed directly by our client, not by Augmentis.

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Our client and Augmentis are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. This job posting does not constitute a contract or guarantee of employment, and role details are subject to change based on our clients' needs. By applying, you acknowledge that your information may be shared with our client for recruitment and hiring.

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