Manufacturing Operations Cost Analyst

Own the economics of making great products

Join our team to turn production data into decisions. As a Manufacturing Operations Cost Analyst, you will deliver precise costs, clean inventory, and clear variance stories that help leaders run the plant smarter and faster.

Your impact in the first 90 days

• Stabilize standard costs and variance explanations across materials, labor, and overhead.
• Tighten inventory reconciliations between the subledger and general ledger.
• Shorten the month-end close with accurate journal entries and schedules.

Primary responsibilities

• Cost & Inventory Management
  • Maintain standard costs and monitor receipts, transfers, and adjustments.
  • Perform material, labor, and overhead variance analysis; translate findings for operations.
  • Lead/support cycle counts and physical inventory; reconcile discrepancies.
• Financial Reporting & Close
  • Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
  • Assist with month-, quarter-, and year-end close and help prepare financial statements and management reports.
• Budgeting & Performance Analysis
  • Build pieces of the annual budget and forecasts.
  • Track actuals vs. budget; identify trends and opportunities.
  • Provide decision support to production and supply chain leaders.
• Systems, Data, & Controls
  • Maintain ERP cost data (IQMS, SAP, Oracle, or similar).
  • Ensure internal controls over financial reporting and inventory are designed and operating effectively.
• Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Collaborate with production, supply chain, and operations; communicate financial insights to non-finance partners.
  • Drive process improvements that raise accuracy and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, or related field; 2–5 years in accounting (manufacturing preferred); cost or inventory accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Technical: Excel power user (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis); GAAP and cost accounting principles; ERP exposure (IQMS, SAP, Oracle, etc.).
• Soft Skills: Analytical, detail-obsessed, organized; independent with strong deadline management; excellent communicator and collaborator.

Preferred extras

• CPA or active pursuit.
• Standard costing and variance analysis experience.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement.

Work environment

• Primarily office-based with periodic time on the production floor.
• May require extended hours during month-end close or audits.

Success metrics

• Timely, accurate financial reporting and reconciliations.
• Insightful variance narratives that inform operations.
• High inventory accuracy with strong GL alignment.
• Measurable process improvements and cost efficiencies.

Must be proficient in

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Cost Accounting
• Bank Reconciliation