Cost Analyst; Manufacturing Finance

Cost Analyst (Manufacturing Finance)

Our client is seeking a Cost Analyst (Manufacturing Finance) to support financial and operational decision‑making within a manufacturing environment. This full‑time, in‑office position focuses on evaluating production costs, delivering actionable insights, and strengthening profitability through data‑driven analysis.

As the Cost Analyst, you will collaborate across operations, sales, sourcing, and finance to interpret cost data, monitor performance, and provide meaningful recommendations. This position requires a solid grasp of product costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing workflows to ensure timely and accurate financial visibility.

• Compile and analyze financial data related to production costs, including materials, labor, and overhead components.
• Support monthly close cycles by preparing cost reports, investigating variances, and summarizing key drivers.
• Evaluate inventory values and ensure cost allocation aligns with production processes and accounting standards.
• Assess product margins and pricing structures to provide accurate insights for commercial decision‑making.
• Build and maintain performance metrics to track efficiency, cost control, and profitability trends.
• Partner with plant leadership and cross‑functional teams to explain financial results and recommend improvements.
• Develop financial models to assess capital projects, sourcing strategies, and operational initiatives.
• Identify process enhancements to improve reporting accuracy, consistency, and transparency.

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related discipline.
• Several years of experience in manufacturing finance or cost accounting environments.
• Working knowledge of standard costing methods, inventory accounting, and cost flow processes.
• Proven ability to collaborate with operational teams and communicate financial concepts clearly.
• Advanced spreadsheet capabilities, including complex analysis and modeling.
• Familiarity with enterprise resource planning systems such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem‑solving capabilities with attention to detail.