Manager, Cost Accounting

COLE-PARMER INSTRUMENT COMPANY•Vernon Hills, IL

1h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Cost Accounting Manager will lead the development, implementation, and ongoing governance of standardized cost accounting practices across a diverse, global manufacturing network. This role is responsible for driving consistency in standard costing methodologies, inventory valuation, variance analysis, and reporting processes across multiple entities and production environments. In addition, this role will design and implement standardized inventory reporting and analytics to improve transparency, strengthen internal controls, and enhance working capital management. The position partners closely with supply chain, FP&A, and site leaders to ensure cost accuracy, margin integrity, and disciplined inventory management. The ideal candidate combines strong technical cost accounting expertise with a systems mindset and the ability to drive alignment across international manufacturing operations.

Requirements

8+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment
Deep understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and absorption costing
Strong working knowledge of manufacturing cost drivers
Experience developing financial dashboards and reporting tools
Advanced Excel and strong data analysis capabilities, Power BI experience preferred
Ability to influence and align cross-functional global teams
Strong communication skills across operational and executive audiences
Process-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset
Approximately 25% travel required

Responsibilities

Develop and implement global standard costing policies and methodologies across all manufacturing sites
Establish consistent standards for material, labor, and overhead cost structure and allocation
Lead annual standard process globally
Standardize variance analysis frameworks and reporting formats globally
Harmonize cost accounting practices across ERP systems and manufacturing environments
Ensure compliance with US GAAP and applicable international accounting standards
Develop and implement standardized global inventory reporting packages
Design and maintain dashboards focused on:
Inventory turns
Days in Inventory Outstanding (DII)
Excess, obsolete, and slow-moving reporting and analysis
Aging by SKU and site
Partner with supply chain and operations to identify inventory reduction opportunities
Improve visibility into raw materials, WIP, and finished goods balances
Strengthen inventory reserve methodologies and governance
Implement standardized monthly variance reporting (PPV, material usage, labor efficiency, overhead absorption)
Ensure root-cause analysis and corrective action tracking across sites
Partner with plant leadership to improve scrap, yield, and production efficiency
Support pricing and margin analysis through accurate cost structures
Provide actionable insights to support margin expansion initiatives
Ensure accurate month-end inventory valuation and subledger-to-GL reconciliation
Standardize cycle count and physical inventory processes across sites
Strengthen internal controls around inventory transactions and adjustments
Ensure consistent BOM and routing governance processes
Support audit readiness and documentation standards globally
Partner with IT and finance teams to improve ERP cost modules and reporting tools
Active member of team to develop and implement a data lake across all entities for better analysis and visibility
Standardize cost data governance across systems
Implement automated reporting solutions to reduce manual analysis
Drive integration of acquired entities into standardized cost and inventory frameworks