Cost Accounting Manager

Dairy Farmers of America•Kansas City, KS

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Play a key role in leading and supporting comprehensive cost accounting functions across multiple manufacturing locations, with a strong emphasis on inventory management, product costing, and financial analysis. Partner closely with plant controllers and operations teams to ensure accurate costing, drive consistency in accounting practices, and support informed business decision-making. Serve as a subject matter expert in cost accounting, providing guidance on complex manufacturing and dairy-specific costing considerations, while supporting budgeting and month-end close processes in an SAP ERP environment. Lead efforts to standardize procedures, strengthen internal controls, and ensure compliance with accounting standards and audit requirements.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in accounting, finance, or related curriculum
8 to 10 years’ experience in accounting, cost accounting, or finance coupled with demonstrated leadership attributes or team lead, project lead, or people leadership experience
Manufacturing experience
Proficient in accounting, manufacturing, and spreadsheet software (SAP or comparable ERP systems)
Must be able to read, write and speak English

Nice To Haves

SAP experience preferred
Dairy industry experience a plus
CPA or CMA a plus
In-depth knowledge of cost accounting methods
Strong financial acumen skills and understanding of financial processes and metrics used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department
Strong understanding and application of generally accepted accounting principles
Leadership and coaching skills to guide plant controllers and accounting staff on cost accounting practices and issue resolution
Able to promote a team environment
Able to work independently with minimal guidance, apply sound judgment, and escalate only highly complex or high-risk issues
Able to provide accurate, thorough, and timely analyses
Able to apply strong attention to detail
Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
Able to work collaboratively with all departments, management levels, and external stakeholders
Able to multi-task and problem solve

Responsibilities

Co-lead in the development, standardization, and governance of cost accounting practices across multiple dairy manufacturing plants
Oversee inventory reconciliation, analysis, and complex costing models
Function as a lead resource for site controllers and other accountants related to cost accounting
Provide product cost and margin forecasts; perform estimates of new or proposed product costs and perform analysis or estimates of actual production costs; review completed product manufacturing costs, and review and analyze unit costs of finished products
Resolve and/or provide resolution guidance of issues that plant controllers have on day-to-day operations of cost accounting activities
Utilize in-depth knowledge of cost accounting to develop a forward-looking approach to the department including cost of goods sold (COGS) budget analysis and preparation
Perform complex weekly, monthly, and quarterly variance analysis of key performance indicators and communicate insights, risks, and opportunities to management
Manage the compilation of periodic statements of product cost and development and/or prepare appropriate operating reports
Present cost data and recommendations to executive and mid-level management as well as to other appropriate individuals
Prepare profit and loss statements for individual manufactured products
Supervise the maintenance of inventory records of products, and direct other statistical and tabulating services
Direct cost audits and their interpretation that will assist management in directing and controlling operations
Provide proactive analysis of variances and communication of issues and opportunities to appropriate management
Consult with plant and/or operations management on resource activity measurements concerns, efficiency measurements, and overhead analysis
Provide analytical decision support for maintaining and auditing bills of materials (BOM’s)
Be responsible for month-end closing activities, including analysis of inventory valuations and operations analysis
Manage audits of the financial records with internal audit and independent auditors
Develop and implement SOP’s based on best known practices on all costing data to provide consistency and comparability across all assigned locations (e.g., plants, areas) within the company
Seek continuous improvement in all areas related to cost accounting and financial reporting
Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting standards, and audit requirements related to inventory and cost accounting
Serve as a central point of expertise for dairy-specific costing complexities (fat/protein standardization, shrink, spoilage, co-products like whey)
Other duties may be assigned as required