Senior Cost Accountant

Job category:
Individual contributor Management

Division:
Scented & Living Solutions Department:
Finance Location:
Manitowoc, WI

Job Title:

Senior Cost Accountant Reports To:
Controller Job category:
Individual contributor Management Division:
Scented & Living Solutions Department:
Finance Location:
Manitowoc, WI

The Senior Cost Accountant is responsible for leading cost analysis, product costing, inventory valuation, and financial control activities within the manufacturing environment. This role ensures accurate cost reporting, supports operational decision‑making, and contributes to efficiency improvements across production processes.

• Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for products, components, and processes.
• Perform cost variance analysis (material, labor, overhead) and investigate root causes.
• Lead cost roll‑ups and ensure bill of materials (BOMs) and routings are accurate and up to date.
• Analyze production costs and propose strategies for cost reduction and process improvement.
• Support new product launches with cost models and scenario analyses.
• Support RFQs (requests for quotation) and new business proposals with detailed costing assumptions.
• Oversee inventory valuation, cycle counts, and reconciliation between physical inventory and SAP records.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls, and audit requirements.
• Prepare monthly manufacturing cost reports and dashboards for leadership.
• Provide insight into cost trends, gross margin performance, and efficiency metrics.
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes for manufacturing cost centers.
• Maintain accurate costing data in SAP.
• Drive continuous improvement in costing processes and reporting tools.
• Support system implementations or upgrades related to costing modules.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; professional certifications (CPA, CMA) preferred.
• 5–7 years of cost accounting experience, ideally in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with standard costing, BOMs, and manufacturing cost flows.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex cost structures.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel; experience with SAP is a must.
• Solid understanding of GAAP and cost accounting principles.
• Ability to partner with cross‑functional teams (production, supply chain, engineering).
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Detail‑oriented with high accuracy.
• Problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Continuous improvement orientation (Lean, Six Sigma exposure is a plus).

• Stand; walk; reach above shoulders; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell up to 1/3 of the time.
• Sit; use hands to finger, handle or touch; and talk or hear 2/3 and more of the time.
• Up to 25 pounds to be lifted or force to be exerted up to 1/3 of the time.
• Up to 10 pounds to be lifted or force to be exerted 2/3 and more of the time.
• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less).
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).

• Telephone, keyboard, printer, monitor, copier, shredder, miscellaneous office equipment 2/3 and more of the time.

• Work/job related travel up to 1/3 of the time.
• Moderate noise.

Additional Postings available from kdc/one Northern Labs, Inc.