Inventory COE Lead
Chicago, IL, US, 60606
Join Amrize as a Inventory COE Lead and help construct what's next. If you're ready to put your skills to work on projects that matter — and build a career with a company that’s building North America — we want to hear from you!
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Inventory Center of Excellence (COE) Lead is responsible for establishing and governing the enterprise-wide framework for inventory accuracy, valuation, internal controls, and operational excellence. This role drives standardization across all segments and business units, ensuring consistent policies, processes, and controls for inventory counts, valuation, costing, and reporting.
The COE Lead serves as the central coordination point for internal controls, internal audit, external audit, and cross-segment alignment. They partner closely with Shared Services, Plant Operations, Plant Controllers, Segment CFOs, and the Corporate Controller to ensure inventory processes are accurate, efficient, compliant, and scalable.
WHAT YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH
1. Inventory Governance & Policy Leadership
- Own and maintain enterprise-wide inventory policies, including:
- Cycle counts
- Walltowall counts
- Book to physical adjustments
- Inventory rollforward requirements
- Standard cost methodology
- Variance analysis
- Overhead absorption
- LCM and obsolescence reserves
- Ensure policies are consistently applied across all segments, plants, and warehouses.
- Lead the governance process for inventory-related master data, BOMs, routings, and costing structures.
2. Internal Controls & Audit Coordination
- Serve as the primary coordination point for:
- Internal Audit
- External Audit
- Corporate SOX/ICFR teams
- Maintain and update the Inventory Risk & Control Matrix (RCM).
- Ensure controls are:
- Designed effectively
- Operating consistently
- Supported with appropriate documentation
- Lead remediation efforts for control deficiencies and audit findings.
- Provide training and guidance to control owners across the enterprise.
3. Standardization & Process Excellence
- Develop and deploy standardized templates, SOPs, and toolkits for:
- Count procedures
- Variance investigations
- Cost updates
- LCM testing
- Obsolescence reviews
- Partner with Shared Services to centralize transactional, repeatable tasks.
- Drive harmonization of inventory processes across segments and plants.
- Facilitate best practice sharing and continuous improvement initiatives.
4. Inventory Valuation & Costing Oversight
- Oversee enterprise-wide standard cost governance:
- Annual cost roll
- Cost update approvals
- Overhead rate setting
- Variance monitoring
- Ensure consistent application of:
- LCM methodology
- Obsolescence reserve calculations
- Scrap, yield, and production reporting standards
- Partner with FP&A and Corporate Accounting on valuation impacts and reporting.
5. Cross-Functional Alignment & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the central alignment point across:
- Plant Operations
- Plant Controllers
- Segment CFOs
- Corporate Controller
- Shared Services
- Internal Audit
- External Audit
- Finance Policy Committee
- Facilitate cross-segment working groups to ensure consistent interpretation of policies.
- Support integration of new acquisitions into inventory policies and controls.
6. Training & Capability Building
- Develop and deliver training programs for:
- Plant operations teams
- Warehouse personnel
- Plant Controllers
- Shared Services teams
- Segment finance teams
- Ensure teams understand:
- Inventory policies
- Internal controls
- Documentation requirements
- Variance analysis expectations
- Year-end and quarter-end procedures
- Demonstrate a commitment to communicating, improving and adhering to health, safety and environmental policies in all work environments and areas. Promote a culture of safety and exhibit these behaviors.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field.
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8+ years of experience in inventory accounting, cost accounting, or supply chain finance.
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Strong knowledge of inventory valuation, standard costing, and manufacturing accounting.
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Experience with internal controls, SOX/ICFR, and audit coordination.
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Ability to influence across segments, plants, and corporate functions.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Preferred
- CPA, CMA, or similar certification.
- Experience in building materials, construction products, or manufacturing.
- Experience with ERP systems (SAP, D365, etc.).
- Experience leading cross-functional transformation initiatives.
Key Competencies
- Strong governance mindset
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills
- Ability to drive standardization in decentralized environments
- Deep understanding of inventory processes and controls
- High attention to detail with strategic perspective
- Collaborative leadership style
Additional Requirements:
- Successful candidates must adhere to all safety protocols and proper use of Amrize approved Personal Protection Equipment ("PPE"), including but not limited to respirators. Employees that are required to wear respirators must be clean shaven where the respirator seal meets the face in order to pass the qualitative and quantitative fit test.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive salary
- Retirement Savings: Choose from 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax savings
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Medical, Dental, Disability and Life Insurance
- Holistic Health & Well-being programs
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) & Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health and dependent care
- Vision and other Voluntary benefits and discounts
- Paid time off & paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave (maternity & paternity)
- Educational Assistance Program
- Dress for your day
Nearest Major Market: Chicago