The Opportunity: Rebuild, Refine, and Revolutionize Our Costing Landscape
We are seeking a results-oriented Cost Manager to lead the charge in overhauling our cost accounting processes, first by establishing a rock-solid foundation and then by driving strategic financial insights. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on professional to make a significant impact by building and optimizing critical systems.
We are seeking a highly capable individual who is a doer, a problem-solver, and a strategic thinker – someone who can both remove obstacles and establish a clear path forward.
Who We're Looking For
You're not afraid to roll up your sleeves and tackle messy, complex problems head-on. In fact, you kind of enjoy bringing order to chaos.
You have a strong foundation in cost accounting principles within a manufacturing environment and understand what "good" looks like, even if you have to build it yourself.
While you can operate strategically, you understand that strategy relies on accurate data, and you're willing to do the detailed work to get there.
You've been in a situation before where systems needed significant improvement overhaul.
You are comfortable with an initial level of ambiguity but driven to create clarity and robust processes.
The Role:
Phase 1: Build the Foundation
Deep Dive & Clean-Up: Forensically assess current cost structures, BOMs, and Routers. Identify discrepancies, inaccuracies, and process gaps.
System Implementation & Standardization: Lead the charge in (re)establishing and ensuring the accuracy of standard costing methodologies across all manufacturing locations.
BOM & Router Integrity: Take ownership of auditing, correcting, and managing Bill of Materials (BOMs) and Routers, ensuring they are precise and reflect reality.
Process Development: Design and implement streamlined, reliable monthly, quarterly, and annual cost reporting processes.
Phase 2: Drive Business Value
Variance Analysis & Insight Generation: Transition from cleanup to providing insightful analysis of raw materials, labor, and overhead costs, highlighting improvement areas to senior management.
Pricing & Margin Optimization: Work hand-in-glove with the pricing team, using your now-accurate cost data to ensure product margins are correct, identify underperforming products, and support strategic pricing decisions.
New Product Development (NPD) Partnership: Provide critical cost analysis for new products, ensuring they meet margin targets before launch and supporting strategic make-or-buy decisions.
Continuous Improvement Champion: Collaborate with Operations, Procurement, IT, and ERP teams to optimize cost accounting systems and continuously improve data accuracy and reporting capabilities.
Integration Support: As needed, assist in integrating cost accounting systems and practices for any newly acquired companies.
Essential Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (required).
5+ years of hands-on cost accounting experience in manufacturing
Proven, extensive experience working with Bill of Materials (BOMs), Routers, and establishing/refining standard costing systems.
Experience with pricing analysis and supporting product margin decisions
Experience with cost accounting for new product development (NPD).