Cost Analyst

Cost AnalystWe are seeking an experienced Cost Analyst to provide cost and inventory analysis to support accurate product costing, improved inventory accuracy, stronger operational decision-making, and greater visibility into manufacturing performance. This role analyzes standard and actual costs, manufacturing and purchase variances, inventory activity, bills of materials, labor and overhead, and job or work order costs. The Cost Analyst partners with Finance, Operations, Purchasing, Engineering, and Warehouse teams to identify root causes, improve cost data, and recommend practical corrective actions. The position supports inventory-related close, reconciliation, reporting, and audit activities while Accounting retains responsibility for general ledger ownership and financial reporting.Key ResponsibilitiesCost and Manufacturing Analysis• Analyze standard versus actual manufacturing costs and explain material, labor, overhead, usage, scrap, and other production variances.• Analyze purchase price variances, material cost changes, and supplier-related cost trends in partnership with Purchasing and Finance.• Review bills of materials (BOMs), routings, labor rates, overhead allocations, and other cost inputs for completeness, accuracy, and reasonableness.• Analyze job, work order, product, customer, and project costs to identify cost drivers, unusual results, and margin improvement opportunities.• Support the annual standard-cost-setting process and periodic cost updates by preparing data, validating assumptions, and documenting changes.• Prepare recurring and ad hoc cost reports, trend analyses, forecasts, dashboards, and management reporting to support business decisions.Inventory Analysis and Controls• Maintain and analyze inventory costing information within the ERP system, including raw materials, work in process, and finished goods.• Monitor inventory valuation and analyze inventory transactions, adjustments, transfers, and other activity affecting inventory cost.• Perform and support monthly inventory reconciliations between physical inventory, ERP records, and related financial records.• Analyze excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory and provide supporting data for reserve and disposition decisions.• Partner with Operations, Purchasing, Engineering, and Warehouse teams to improve inventory controls, transaction discipline, and costing accuracy.Financial and Process Support• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to inventory and manufacturing costs by preparing analyses, schedules, and supporting documentation.• Monitor inventory valuation and costing practices for consistency with company policies and applicable accounting standards, escalating accounting treatment questions to Finance leadership.• Support internal and external audits by providing inventory, costing, reconciliation, and variance documentation.• Identify and implement process improvements that strengthen data accuracy, reporting, inventory controls, and operational efficiency.• Work across functions to translate cost findings into clear recommendations and track corrective actions or cost-reduction opportunities.• Perform other cost, inventory, and financial analyses as assigned.Required Education & Experience• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.• Three or more years of experience in cost analysis, inventory analysis, cost accounting, manufacturing finance, or a related role.• Strong understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, inventory valuation, and manufacturing cost concepts.• Working knowledge of inventory valuation methods, including FIFO, LIFO, and weighted average cost.• Experience using an ERP system such as Epicor, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, or a comparable platform.• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, data validation, and analysis of large data sets.• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.• Ability to work cross-functionally and explain financial or cost information to non-financial stakeholders.Preferred• Experience in a manufacturing, engineered-to-order, distribution, or supply chain environment.• Experience analyzing BOMs, routings, labor and overhead, work orders, or project-based manufacturing costs.• Knowledge of inventory controls, cycle counting, physical inventory, audit procedures, and process improvement methods.• Experience with Epicor or a similar manufacturing ERP system.