Financial Cost Analyst

The Cost and Financial Analyst is a pivotal role in the financial health and strategic growth of our organization, which spans distribution, custom and repetitive manufacturing, and site services. This multifaceted position is essential to ensuring accurate cost tracking, financial planning, and data-driven decision-making across all business units. By analyzing complex cost structures, revenue trends, and profitability metrics, this role influences operational efficiency and overall profitability.

My client employees are actively engaged in the company’s culture, committed to our core values and have a passion for excellence. You must be a motivated self-starter with attention to detail, able to handle changes and a busy schedule. We offer an excellent benefits and compensation package and an outstanding cultural environment in which to work.

About the Company:

My client offers 40 years of experience providing state-of-the-art stainless steel process equipment and service for the food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries. Our desire is, and always has been, to create an environment where employees feel valued and choose to make life-long careers.

Salary: $75,000 - $80,000 annually

Primary Functions (may not be all inclusive):

• Develop and maintain cost accounting systems tailored to the needs of distribution, custom and repetitive manufacturing, and site services operations.
• Track, monitor, and analyze all costs associated with inventory, production, and service delivery, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
• Establish and update labor and overhead rates as part of the annual budget process, ensuring accuracy and alignment with operational realities.
• Investigate and resolve cost variances across materials, labor, and overhead, providing detailed explanations and corrective actions.
• Partner with operations, procurement, and engineering teams to understand cost drivers and recommend process improvements to optimize costs.
• Establish and refine standard cost models, ensuring alignment with actual production and operational workflows.

Financial Analysis and Reporting Responsibilities:

• Prepare detailed cost and profitability analyses for distribution, manufacturing, and service projects.
• Analyze revenue and gross margin trends. For example, by customer, by product to support business decision-making.
• Develop financial dashboards to track key performance indicators (KPIs), such as customer profitability, product margins.
• Conduct variance analysis to identify revenue and cost trends, flagging opportunities to prove profitability or mitigate risks.
• Prepare comprehensive monthly and quarterly Power BI reports for management and sales that highlight financial performance, trends, and key insights.
• Collaborate with sales, operations, and service teams to understand how customer demands and market trends impact revenue and profitability.
• Provide detailed financial data to support customer account reviews, product line performance evaluations, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Develop and refine predictive models to support forecasting of revenue, costs, and margins by customer and product.

Operational and Strategic Support:

• Act as a liaison between finance and operational teams to ensure alignment on cost objectives and strategies.
• Support the pricing and bid preparation process for custom manufacturing and site service projects by providing accurate cost estimates and margin analyses.
• Identify inefficiencies in operational workflows, supply chain processes, and production methods; recommend and support the implementation of cost-saving measures.
• Assist with ERP system optimizations, ensuring that financial data is accurately captured, reported, and utilized for decision-making.

Compliance and Internal Controls:

• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, e.g. GAAP, company policies, and industry regulations.
• Develop and implement internal controls to maintain the integrity of financial data and reporting.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation and addressing inquiries related to cost accounting and financial analysis.

Position Requirements:

Education/Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA, CMA, or equivalent certification is a plus.

Experience/Skills:

• 3-5 years of experience in cost accounting, financial analysis, or a similar role, preferably in industries involving distribution, manufacturing, or service/installation operations.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., Epicor, SAP, Oracle) and financial reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting principles, standard costing, job costing, and variance analysis.
• Financial analysis
• ERP and query writing
• Microsoft Power BI and advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, financial modeling, and data visualization.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

This position requires the ability to interact with employees verbally and in writing, remain in a stationary position for 80% of the workday, have close visual acuity, and constantly operate a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as a phone, copy/fax/scan machine, computer keyboard and mouse with or without reasonable accommodation. This position also requires the ability to occasionally lift, stoop, bend, and lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

My client has a long-standing policy of Equal Opportunity in Employment. Our practice is to fill positions by selecting applicants who can perform the work in a competent and professional manner, with or without reasonable accommodation. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, disability or veteran status. Must have the right to work in the United States.