Director, Technical Accounting & Accounting Operations

Overview Dole Packaged Foods is a purpose led organization that is a champion of accessible fruit nutrition and builds a brighter future for people through the goodness of fruit. At Dole, our culture is uniquely driven by core Values. Our commitment to these Values transforms our work into a meaningful journey toward a brighter future together. Here, you'll be part of a respectful, inclusive culture that deeply values our colleagues, customers, and global communities. We strive for excellence, empowering each other to confidently overcome challenges, continuously learn, and achieve world-class results. Guided by unwavering integrity, our actions consistently reflect our commitment to always doing what's right, fostering lasting trust and strong relationships. Through a spirit of collaboration, we cultivate positivity, generosity, and genuine teamwork, enabling collective success toward our One Dole Purpose. Our innovative spirit leads directly to meaningful outcomes and business success. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director, Accounting to join our Controllership team. This role serves as a key leader responsible for technical accounting, accounting policy, financial reporting support, close governance, and complex transaction analysis. The position partners closely with the Controller on significant accounting judgments, implementation of new accounting standards, accounting policy development, and matters impacting the integrity of the Company's financial statements. In addition, this role leads accounting process improvement, internal controls, audit coordination, accounting systems governance, and provides strategic oversight of accounting operations. The ideal candidate combines deep technical accounting expertise with strong business acumen, leadership capability, and a passion for building scalable and well-controlled accounting processes. This role provides flexibility to work in a hybrid environment of home and our Westlake Village, CA office. (Hybrid is defined as 3 times per week in the office). Responsibilities Technical Accounting & Accounting Policy Lead the Company's technical accounting function, including evaluation, interpretation, documentation, and implementation of U.S. GAAP and IFRS accounting guidance for complex and non-routine transactions. Perform technical accounting research and prepare accounting memoranda, position papers, policy documentation, and related analyses supporting accounting conclusions and significant judgments. Evaluate the accounting implications of strategic initiatives, commercial contracts, financing arrangements, restructurings, acquisitions, system implementations, and other complex transactions. Partner closely with the Controller to assess significant accounting judgments and establish accounting positions that are supportable, compliant, and operationally practical. Maintain and enhance the Company's accounting policy framework, ensuring consistent application of accounting principles across business units, legal entities, and international operations. Monitor emerging accounting standards and regulatory developments, assess their impact on the business, and lead implementation efforts as necessary. Financial Reporting & Close Governance Provide leadership and oversight of the general ledger and close process, ensuring period-end activities, journal entries, reconciliations, account analyses, and review procedures are completed accurately, timely, and in accordance with company policies. Partner with the Controller on quarterly, annual, statutory, and management reporting matters, including accounting disclosures and financial statement presentation. Ensure significant accounting matters are properly documented, reviewed, and communicated to executive leadership, auditors, and other key stakeholders. Drive improvements in financial reporting quality, transparency, consistency, and efficiency. Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit Strengthen the Company's control environment through effective governance, documentation, risk assessment, and process ownership. Support JSOX compliance efforts, including control design, testing coordination, remediation activities, and continuous improvement initiatives. Serve as a key liaison with internal and external auditors and coordinate audit activities across the accounting organization. Ensure accounting processes are supported by appropriate controls, documentation, evidence, and review protocols. Accounting Operations & Business Partnership Provide strategic oversight of accounting operations, ensuring activities across manufacturing, distribution, sales and marketing, corporate functions, and international operations adhere to accounting policies and financial reporting requirements. Partner with business leaders to provide accounting guidance that supports operational and strategic decision making. Support business initiatives by identifying accounting implications early and helping develop practical, compliant solutions. Systems, Transformation & Process Improvement Direct accounting participation in system implementations, upgrades, and process transformation initiatives. Oversee accounting master data governance and ensure accounting requirements are effectively incorporated into reporting structures, workflows, controls, and system designs. Identify opportunities to simplify processes, eliminate manual activities, strengthen controls, increase automation, and leverage AI-enabled solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Lead initiatives that enhance scalability, sustainability, and operational excellence within the accounting function. Leadership & Talent Development Build and develop a high-performing accounting organization through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and talent development. Foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence, continuous improvement, collaboration, and so