Cost Accountant

Taylor Farms Southern California, Inc. is the dressing manufacturing plant for Taylor Farms Retail, producing high-quality refrigerated dressings and sauces. We are seeking an experienced Cost Accountant to lead all accounting, cost control, and financial reporting functions. This role partners closely with operations, senior management and corporate finance to ensure accurate reporting, effective budgeting, and strong financial performance. The ideal candidate has deep experience in food manufacturing accounting, strong leadership skills, and a hands-on approach to managing processes in a fast-paced production environment. Summary The Cost Accountant plays a key role in ensuring financial accuracy, cost control, and strategic insight for Taylor Farms Southern California — the dressing manufacturing plant supporting Taylor Farms Retail. This position combines leadership, analysis, and collaboration to drive operational and financial excellence. Responsibilities Oversee daily accounting operations including general ledger, banking, accounts payable/receivable, and journal entries. Assist with month-end and year-end close, and GAAP compliance. Prepare weekly flash reporting, variance analysis, and operational performance updates. Coordinate external audits and ensure timely, accurate tax filings (sales, property, business). Maintain standard costs, yields, and variance reporting for dressing and sauce production. Manage item masters, bills of materials, and cost structures in the ERP system. Analyze margins, material usage, and labor efficiency to support cost-reduction initiatives. Oversee inventory valuation, fixed assets, and construction-in-progress accounting Lead annual budgets and rolling forecasts in collaboration with operations and corporate finance. Track KPIs and financial metrics; provide insights to improve plant profitability and performance. Deliver financial analysis and recommendations that support strategic decision-making. Leadership & Process Improvement Supervise and develop accounting team members. Maintain strong internal controls and ensure adherence to company policies and GAAP. Identify opportunities for process and system improvements (Microsoft Dynamics D365 preferred). Promote collaboration between finance, operations, and production teams. Other job-related duties as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA/CMA preferred). 5+ years of accounting and finance experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role. Experience in food manufacturing or processing, ideally within dressings, sauces, or refrigerated products required Proven understanding of GAAP, cost accounting, and manufacturing financial analysis required Experience with AP, AR, GL and month-end close in food manufacturing, or processing environment Advanced Power BI and ERP skills and experience in Microsoft Dynamics D365 preferred. Advanced Excel skills: ability to provide financial modeling and spreadsheet creation Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills required. Excellent oral and written communication skills Ability to lead teams and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment required. Physical Demands Primarily sedentary work performed at a desk and computer for extended periods. Occasional standing or walking , including walking through production or warehouse areas as needed. Occasionally lift, carry, or move objects up to 25 pounds , such as files, laptops, or reports. Frequent use of hands and fingers for keyboarding, data entry, and handling office materials. Visual acuity is sufficient to read screens, spreadsheets, and printed financial documents. Occasional bending, reaching, or stooping when accessing filing cabinets or storage. Work is performed primarily in an office setting within a manufacturing plant . May occasionally require entry into refrigerated or production areas (with appropriate PPE). The environment involves standard office noise and temperature , with occasional exposure to moderate plant conditions. #J-18808-Ljbffr