Inventory Controller

Inventory Controller Location: Long Island City, NY Work Arrangement: Hybrid Compensation: Up to $225,000, based on experience Employment Type: Full-Time Position Overview Our client is seeking a highly experienced Inventory Controller to oversee inventory accuracy, controls, valuation, and financial reporting. This position will serve as a key partner to Finance, Accounting, Purchasing, and Operations, ensuring inventory information is accurate, well-supported, and aligned with financial reporting requirements.The ideal candidate will have a strong background in inventory accounting, cost accounting, inventory controls, reconciliations, and financial analysis, along with the ability to investigate variances, identify root causes, and recommend process improvements.This is a hands-on role for someone who is comfortable working with detailed transactional data while also providing management with meaningful analysis and recommendations. Key Responsibilities Inventory Management & Controls Own the accuracy and integrity of inventory records and related financial information.Develop and maintain effective inventory control procedures and processes.Perform detailed reconciliations between inventory records and physical quantities.Investigate inventory variances and identify underlying causes.Review transactions related to receiving, shipments, transfers, returns, adjustments, and other inventory activity.Establish and monitor cycle-count processes and inventory accuracy metrics.Coordinate and oversee periodic physical inventory counts.Ensure inventory transactions are recorded accurately and in the appropriate accounting period.Identify recurring issues and recommend improvements to inventory processes and controls. Inventory Costing & Valuation Maintain a strong understanding of inventory costing and valuation methodologies.Review and analyze inventory costs and changes in cost assumptions.Evaluate purchase costs and other components that contribute to inventory valuation.Investigate unusual or significant cost fluctuations.Analyze inventory valuation and identify potential reserve or adjustment requirements.Understand the relationship between inventory costing, COGS, gross margin, and overall financial performance.Ensure inventory valuation schedules and supporting documentation are accurate and audit-ready. Cost Variance & PPV Analysis Oversee reporting and analysis related to purchase price and other inventory cost variances.Analyze cost variances by vendor, product, item, purchase order, and other relevant factors.Investigate significant fluctuations and determine the business drivers behind them.Identify whether variances are related to purchasing activity, standard costs, receiving, invoicing, system setup, or other factors.Partner with Purchasing and Finance to resolve recurring costing issues.Communicate significant cost variances and their impact on profitability to management.Identify opportunities to improve purchasing and cost-control processes. Accounting & Reconciliations Reconcile inventory-related general ledger accounts and supporting schedules.Research differences between operational systems and financial records.Prepare inventory-related schedules and supporting documentation for month-end close.Review inventory journal entries and adjustments for accuracy and completeness.Partner with Accounting and Finance to ensure inventory balances and COGS are properly stated.Provide support for internal and external audits, including reconciliations, valuation documentation, physical count results, and variance explanations. Physical Inventory & Cycle Counts Maintain a structured physical inventory and cycle-count program.Coordinate the reconciliation of physical counts to system records.Investigate significant inventory differences and determine root causes.Ensure inventory adjustments are properly documented, reviewed, and approved.Monitor inventory discrepancies for trends that may indicate process or control issues.Work with warehouse and operational teams to improve inventory accuracy. Reporting & Analysis Develop and maintain inventory reporting and analytical tools.Analyze large data sets to identify trends, discrepancies, anomalies, and opportunities for improvement.Provide management with reporting and analysis related to: Inventory accuracyInventory variancesInventory turnsSlow-moving and obsolete inventoryCost variances / PPVInventory valuationInventory adjustmentsCost changesInventory reservesGo beyond reporting results by identifying the underlying causes and business impact of significant trends and variances.Present findings and recommendations to management in a clear and actionable manner. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.Strong professional experience in inventory accounting, cost accounting, inventory control, or a related function.Strong understanding of inventory valuation, costing, COGS, gross margin, and purchase price variance.Experience with physical inventory counts, cycle counts, and inventory reconciliations.Strong general ledger and month-end close knowledge.Experience investigating inventory discrepancies and identifying root causes.Advanced Excel skills and the ability to analyze large data sets.Experience working with ERP and inventory management systems.Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accountability.Ability to collaborate effectively with Finance, Accounting, Purchasing, Operations, and warehouse teams.Experience supporting internal or external audits is strongly preferred. What We're Looking For We are looking for an analytical and hands-on inventory professional who can take ownership of inventory accuracy while understanding the broader financial impact of inventory decisions. The successful candidate will be comfortable working at both the transactional and strategic levels and will be able to turn detailed inventory data into meaningful business insights.If you have strong experience in inventory accounting, costing, controls, and financial analysis, please apply with your resume for consideration. Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. Equal Opportunity Notice Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. Representation Notice By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here. Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: · the individual's skill sets, experience and training; · licensure and certification requirements; · office location and other geographic considerations; and · other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).