Plant Cost Analyst – Subject Matter Expert (SME)

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Our Global Business Services organization is committed to delivering standardized, efficient, and innovative finance processes that enable better business decisions across our global operations. Within Plant Cost Analysis (PCA), we drive excellence in product costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing reporting, and continuous process improvement to support sustainable business growth. The role may be based in Asturias, Budapest, China or Mexico. Be part of a collaborative, innovative, high-performing, and globally connected team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration. Global Business Services (GBS) PCA Subject Matter Expert (SME) The Plant Cost Analysis (PCA) Subject Matter Expert (SME) serves as the recognized authority for manufacturing finance and product costing processes within the organization. The SME provides deep expertise in inventory valuation, product costing, variance analysis, manufacturing reporting, and related systems to support business decision-making, transformation initiatives, and process excellence. The role acts as a trusted advisor to Global Business Services, Operations Finance, Plant Controllers, Business Units, Controllership, and IT teams, driving standardization, continuous improvement, automation, and governance across the PCA workstream Where You'll Make a Difference Guidance and Consultancy Serve as the functional expert for Plant Cost Analysis processes, inventory valuation, and product costing. Provide in-depth knowledge of costing methodologies, manufacturing finance, Material Ledger, standard costing, actual costing, and variance reporting. Support workshops, business process design sessions, user story development, testing activities, and solution validation. Advise stakeholders on best practices related to costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing performance reporting, and financial controls. Act as the go-to resource for resolving complex costing and inventory-related issues. Continuous Improvement: Process and Technology Evaluate, develop, and coordinate the implementation of PCA best practices globally. Identify opportunities for process simplification, standardization, automation, and digitalization. Drive initiatives that improve costing accuracy, reporting quality, operational efficiency, and financial control. Partner with technology teams to implement system enhancements and analytical capabilities. Promote the use of automation, reporting tools, dashboards, and data analytics to support manufacturing finance decision-making. Be a Referential Partner Partner with GBS, Operations Finance, Supply Chain Finance, Controllership, Consolidations, and Business Finance teams. Support timely resolution of priority issues impacting inventory valuation, costing, month-end close, and reporting activities. Facilitate collaboration between business users and technology teams. Provide training, process documentation, knowledge-sharing, and guidance to support adoption of new processes and ways of working. Initiative and Change Champion Champion PCA transformation initiatives and continuous improvement programs. Support system implementations, integrations, and finance transformation projects. Communicate progress, key developments, risks, and opportunities to PCA leadership, Process Owners, and stakeholders. Drive organizational readiness through effective change management activities. Governance and Leadership Support Act as backup or proxy for the PCA Global Process Expert (GPE) where required. Assume ownership of designated deliverables, project activities, and governance decisions. Support the definition, maintenance, and enforcement of global PCA standards and process documentation. Ensure consistency in the application of costing policies and procedures