Senior Cost Analyst: Margin & Inventory Optimization

Job Description Position Summary

The Senior Cost Analyst is responsible for end-to-end product costing, margin analysis, and inventory management across multiple manufacturing facilities. This role partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance leadership to ensure accurate cost visibility, drive margin improvement initiatives, and strengthen inventory controls. The position requires significant on-site presence at manufacturing locations to support costing, operational analysis, inventory control, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Develop, maintain, and validate product costs, including material, labor, and overhead components.
• Analyze cost variances (material usage, labor efficiency, overhead absorption) and provide actionable insights to operations and finance leadership.
• Support new product introductions, reformulations, and process changes with accurate cost modeling.
• Partner with Operations to identify cost reduction opportunities and support continuous improvement initiatives.

• Perform detailed margin analysis by product, customer, and manufacturing site.
• Identify drivers of margin erosion and improvement and communicate findings clearly to stakeholders.
• Support pricing decisions, profitability reviews, and strategic initiatives with fact-based financial analysis.
• Prepare and present cost and margin insights to senior leadership as needed.

• Oversee inventory valuation, including raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
• Monitor inventory levels, turns, obsolescence, and reserves; recommend corrective actions where needed.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to improve inventory accuracy, cycle counting, and physical inventory processes.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and accounting standards related to inventory and cost accounting.

• Travel regularly to manufacturing facilities to understand production processes, validate cost drivers, and support operational teams.
• Collaborate with plant leadership to improve cost transparency and financial accountability.
• Support monthly close activities related to manufacturing costs, inventory, and cost of goods sold.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (MBA or CPA/CMA a plus).
• 7–10 years of progressive cost accounting or cost analysis experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of product costing, variance analysis, and inventory accounting.
• Experience working directly with manufacturing operations and plant leadership.
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with ERP systems and manufacturing cost modules required.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 50% to manufacturing locations.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to translate complex cost data into clear, actionable insights.
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence cross‑functional partners.
• Hands‑on, results‑oriented mindset with comfort working in plant environments.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Rangen, LLC Inc. is an equal‑opportunity employer. Rangen, LLC considers all qualified applicants and employees for hiring, placement, and advancement, without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, military status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or protected veteran status. We invite you to join our diverse & growing team.