Cost Accountant — Manufacturing

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Why this is a great opportunity

• Step into a high-visibility accounting role at a globally respected specialty chemicals company with a track record of innovation and consistent growth
• Own a meaningful scope from day one — you'll oversee cost accounting across three manufacturing locations, with real influence on the numbers that drive operational decisions
• Work alongside finance, operations, and sales/marketing teams, making you a true cross-functional partner, not just a back-office function
• Competitive base salary plus a performance bonus and a $5,000 sign-on bonus to get you started on the right foot
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and tuition assistance — the company invests in your long-term wellbeing and development
• Be part of a company that reinvests roughly 7% of annual revenue into R&D — innovation is in the DNA here, and that creates a dynamic, forward-moving environment
• A stable, professionally run finance organization with the structure and tools (including SAP) to support your success

Location: This role is fully on-site, 5 days a week, at our facility in St. Louis, MO. If you're local or ready to relocate, we'd love to connect.

Note: Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance and at least 2 years of general accounting experience. Manufacturing or cost accounting experience is a strong plus.

About us

We are a Confidential Employer — a global leader in specialty chemicals with more than 8,000 employees across 58 production facilities and 67 service and research laboratories worldwide. Our four divisions serve coating manufacturers, packaging companies, the electronics industry, and more. With over 3 billion euros in annual sales and a consistent commitment to innovation, we are one of the most profitable and fastest-growing companies in our sector. Our finance teams are integral to that success.

Job description

• Manage all aspects of cost accounting across three manufacturing locations, including inventory valuation, costing, and reconciliation
• Develop and maintain cost standards for materials and labor; evaluate plant capacity and absorption rates for fixed and variable costs
• Lead the month-end cost accounting close, including preparation and review of inventory-related journal entries
• Prepare, analyze, and present inventory variance reports — and dig in to investigate and resolve discrepancies
• Partner with Operations and Sales/Marketing to deliver product profitability analysis and support SKU rationalization decisions
• Coordinate physical inventory counts and support related audit activities
• Support budgeting, long-range planning, and financial analysis that informs both operational and strategic decisions
• Monitor financial systems and recommend improvements to processes, controls, and procedures governing inventory movement
• Interpret and maintain accounting policies; recommend changes as business needs evolve
• Provide backup support for Accounts Payable invoice entry and Assistant Controller responsibilities, including monthly financial consolidation entries
• Collaborate with the broader Finance team on variance analysis, cost reporting, and cross-functional special projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related business field
• 2+ years of general accounting experience required; cost accounting and/or manufacturing experience strongly preferred
• Advanced Excel skills, including comfort working with large data sets
• SAP experience preferred
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
• Proactive, collaborative mindset — comfortable working across all levels of the organization

Why you will love working here

This isn't a role where you're processing transactions in isolation. You'll be a key contributor to a high-functioning finance organization at a company with global scale and a genuine culture of continuous improvement. The team values people who ask questions, find solutions, and take ownership — and they give you the tools and support to do exactly that. Add in strong benefits, a sign-on bonus, and a company that's still growing after decades in business, and you've got a role worth staying for.

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Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance