Accounting Lead

Founded in 1954, Vibrant Ingredients is a leading provider of natural, clean label ingredients and systems that power extraordinary food and beverage experiences. The company’s broad portfolio — including natural flavors, botanical extracts, functional nutrition, cold brew coffee, tea essences, and food protection solutions enhances taste, texture, color, shelf life, and performance across a wide range of applications. Vibrant operates four state-of-the-art facilities across the United States and works with leading brands, manufacturers, and foodservice operators. With vertically integrated capabilities and a proven track record of innovation and execution, Vibrant helps customers accelerate to market without compromise.

About the role:

We are a trusted partner to our customers when it comes to innovation and an industry leader in clean label ingredients, we are a true partner. We collaborate with our customers in ways that respect people and the environment. A commitment to Purely Better™ drives our innovation team to discover new, on trend solutions.

As an Accounting Lead, they will play a dual role: Supporting monthly close and ensuring financial accuracy for both our Eustis, FL and Melville, NY plants, and acting as a trusted business partner to site leadership.

This role operates within a shared-service model to drive consistency in accounting processes, reporting integrity, and operational collaboration. The Accounting Lead will provide financial visibility across sites, helping to promote accountability, transparency, and performance excellence.

How will you contribute:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Essential job functions and duties include, but are not limited to:

General Ledger & Accounting

• Prepare, review, and post journal entries, accruals, and adjustments for accurate month-end close.
• Reconcile and analyze site-level balance sheet and P&L accounts.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies and GAAP standards.
• Track and analyze manufacturing expenses, collaborating with Operations to explain key drivers.
• Support both sites’ monthly close and reporting deliverables through a cross-site coordination model.
• Develop standardized templates and reconciliations to ensure alignment in accounting treatment and variance explanations.

Capital & Fixed Assets

• Maintain construction-in-progress (CIP) schedules and ensure accurate tagging of assets placed in service.
• Partner with Engineering to track project status, capitalization, and depreciation.
• Manage monthly fixed asset reconciliation and lapsing schedules.
• Provide ROI and payback analysis for capital projects.

Business Partnering & Budget Management

• Collaborate with department heads to prepare, monitor, and manage operating budgets.
• Lead monthly performance reviews, offering variance analysis and actionable insights.
• Support cost optimization initiatives aligned with site financial goals.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to validate savings and efficiency projects.
• Serve as the on-site finance point of contact for Eustis and remote partner for Melville.
• Act as a mentor and backup for key administrative staff to strengthen financial acumen.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5 years of progressive finance and accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Experience in cost accounting, variance analysis, and GAAP compliance.
• Business partnering mindset with the ability to coach and support non-finance leaders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-mix/high-volume environment.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and ERP systems (Business Central, SAP, or Great Plains).

Work Environment:

• May involve exposure to allergens such as Soy, Wheat, Fish, Shellfish, Milk, Egg, Tree Nuts and Sesame.

What Vibrant Ingredients can offer you:

• Generous time off for vacations
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Health & Wellness programs

More about us:

Vibrant Ingredients, headquartered in Lake Mary, FL, is one of the world's leading independent providers of natural ingredients. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, we deliver a diverse portfolio of clean label ingredients and innovative system solutions to the food and beverage industry. Our commitment to quality and performance is reflected in our American-made products, which enhance both taste and functionality. Backed by advanced manufacturing capabilities, we specialize in fermentation, patented cold brew extraction, custom flavor development, and a range of drying and blending technologies. Operating from four state-of-the-art facilities strategically located across the U.S., we ensure the accessibility of real, high-quality ingredients—helping our customers create better-for-you food and beverage for consumers.

"Improving the food and beverages consumed by providing real ingredients from nature that work."

This position is currently classified as on-site.

Employees are eligible to participate in Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Holidays, Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement Program.

The final salary offered for this position may take into account a number of factors including, but not limited to, location, skills, education, and experience.

The Company reserves the right to modify, update, change and/or make corrections to this job description, at the sole discretion of senior management, at any time during the employee’s employment term, at the sole discretion of management.

EEO Statement

Vibrant Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process as required under its Employment Accommodation Policy. Vibrant Ingredients will work with applicants to meet accommodation needs that are made known to Vibrant Ingredients in advance.

**Please no external recruiters**