Cost Accounting Manager

WHO WE ARE

As pioneers of the seaweed category, we introduced the world's first line of Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified roasted seaweed snacks in 2012 and have since grown to become the #1 selling, premium, organic seaweed-based snack – but our aspirations reach even further.

Led by founders and visionary food entrepreneurs Annie Chun and Steve Broad, we take great pride and care in creating delicious and convenient snacks inspired by our Korean heritage and believe that seaweed represents a sustainable path forward that nourishes people and the planet.

With our eyes focused on the future, we're on a mission to increase our impact by winning over a whole new generation of foodies. We are assembling a team of talented and driven individuals who are just as excited about the future of seaweed as we are!

WHO YOU ARE

You are a detail-oriented, hands-on accounting professional who takes pride in building clean, reliable cost structures from the ground up. You thrive in a manufacturing environment and are equally comfortable at a desk analyzing variances as you are walking the production floor. You bring a continuous improvement mindset, always looking for ways to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve data integrity.

You are highly analytical and naturally curious. You ask questions when something doesn't look right, investigate root causes, and work collaboratively across teams to solve problems. You're comfortable working in the details of bills of materials, standard costs, and production variances while also stepping back to identify broader trends and opportunities for improvement.

You thrive in a fast-moving, growing environment where processes are still evolving. You're a self-starter who can operate independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver results without heavy oversight, bringing structure and accountability without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

You're a strong cross-functional partner who communicates financial concepts clearly to non-financial colleagues and builds effective relationships with Manufacturing, Operations, and Finance teams. You're also excited about leveraging technology, including ERP systems, automation, and AI tools, to work smarter and scale efficiently as the business grows.

WHAT YOU DO

Cost Accounting

• * Lead financial/accounting manager for our manufacturing facility, with primary reporting to the Controller based in San Rafael, CA, and a dotted line to the Plant Director based in Madera, CA. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports.
• • Own the cost accounting for all manufactured SKUs in NetSuite
    • Maintain inventory items in NetSuite
    • Build bills of materials (BOM) for all finished product
    • Develop standard costs for direct labor, indirect labor, and overhead by SKU
    • Develop standard costs for seaweed storage and transport, and shipment of finished products to 3PL
    • Develop scrap factors for raw materials by SKU
    • Develop and manage the work order process for production
  • Provide financial oversight of the purchase order process for raw materials and equipment to ensure compliance with accounting requirements
  • Support Bill.com manufacturing invoice approvals for bill payment

  Budgeting, Forecasts, and Analyses

  • Collaborate with the Plant Director, Operations (corporate), and Financial Planning & Analysis (corporate) to develop annual budgets for the Madera manufacturing facility
    • Determine projected production volumes by SKU
    • Develop standard costs for all SKUs
    • Plan for additional headcount requirements, general and administrative expenses, fixed asset requirements, and inventory (cash flow) requirements
  • Analyze monthly variances (actual vs. budget)
    • Unabsorbed direct labor, indirect labor, and overhead
    • Raw materials cost variances
    • Scrap factors actual vs. planned
    • Employee and general & administrative expense spending variances
    • Develop a monthly financial scorecard to review with Plant Director
  • Update SKU standard costs and BOMs quarterly
  • Prepare P&L and cash flow forecasts as necessary
  • Support long-range planning
  • Prepare new SKU costing estimates for customer P&L analyses
  • Prepare financial analyses for cost savings initiatives

  Month-End Close and Financial Audits

  • Lead manufacturing plant month-end close activities, including inventory reporting, manufacturing accruals, and variance analysis reporting
  • Perform monthly inventory reconciliation and investigate any inventory variances in partnership with supply chain team
  • Oversee year-end physical inventory counts and periodic cycle counts
  • Determine required inventory reserves and the approval process for inventory write-offs and adjustments
  • Support internal and external audit requests by preparing supporting analyses and documentation as needed
  • Maintain strong financial controls and standard operating procedures (SOPs)

  WHAT YOU BRING

  • Strong understanding of cost accounting for a manufacturing facility
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
  • Experience working cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Finance, and Operations
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly explain financial and operational insights
  • High ownership mindset with a proactive, solution-oriented approach
  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity and operating effectively in a fast-paced, evolving business
  • Ability to identify process inefficiencies and drive continuous improvement initiatives
  • Experience working with ERP (NetSuite preferred) cost accounting, WMS and MRP systems
  • Advanced Excel and data manipulation capabilities
  • Demonstrated ability to leverage automation, AI, and scalable processes to improve operational efficiency
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus, given the manufacturing floor environment in Madera, CA

  YOUR EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
  • 10+ years of cost accounting experience, ideally in CPG or food manufacturing
  • Experience working with co-manufacturers
  • Experience with ERP systems (NetSuite preferred)
  • Advanced Excel and data manipulation skills
  • CPA or CMA preferred

  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

  This position is primarily performed in an office area of the manufacturing facility, with frequent visits to the production floor. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and standard office equipment, and communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders.

  The employee may occasionally be required to stand, walk, and lift or move items up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this role include close vision for computer work.

  This role may also require infrequent travel to the corporate office in San Rafael, CA (estimated a few times per year) for team meetings and offsites.

  COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

  This full-time role is based at our new manufacturing facility in Madera, CA.

  This position will receive a competitive salary of $110,000-$130,000, bonus opportunity, stock options, and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) match. Various factors are considered when determining an individual's compensation, including a candidate's professional background, education, certifications, experience, professional licenses, and location. Final offer amounts may vary from the amounts listed. We neither ask for nor take into consideration the salary history of applicants.

  We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, reproductive health decisions, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.