Plant Cost Analyst

Position Summary

The Plant Cost Analyst is responsible for analyzing, monitoring, and reporting manufacturing and operational costs to support effective decision‑making at the plant level. This role partners closely with Plant Operations, Plant Management, Procurement and Accounting to provide insight into cost drivers, variances, and productivity, while supporting accurate financial close, budgeting, and forecasting processes. The Plant Cost Analyst plays a critical role in translating operational data into actionable financial insights and driving continuous improvement in cost transparency and control.

Key Responsibilities Cost Analysis & Operational Support

• - Analyze plant operating costs, including labor, overhead, and conversion costs, to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• - Perform detailed variance analysis (standard vs. actual), including labor efficiency, overhead absorption, and material usage variances.
• - Conduct root-cause analysis of cost variances and operational performance, partnering with plant leadership to develop corrective actions.
• - Monitor key operating metrics such as earned hours, productivity, and efficiency indicators.

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

• - Support month-end close activities, including partnering with accounting on the preparation and analysis of cost-related journal entries, accruals, and supporting schedules.
• - Prepare and maintain standard plant cost and performance reports for management review.
• - Partner with Plant Accounting to ensure accurate inventory valuation and cost of sales reporting.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Planning

• - Assist in the development of the annual plant budget and periodic forecasts.
• - Track actual results versus budget and forecast, highlighting variances, risks, and cost-saving opportunities.
• - Support labor, headcount, and capacity planning through financial modeling and scenario analysis.

Inventory & Cost Control

• - Support physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• - Analyze inventory balances and movements to ensure alignment with operational activity and financial expectations.
• - Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to improve inventory accuracy and working capital performance.

Capital & Cost Reduction Initiatives

• - Monitor and report on capital expenditures, including spending versus approved budgets.
• - Track and validate cost reduction initiatives and productivity improvements, ensuring financial impact is measurable and sustainable.

Business Partnering & Communication

• - Act as a financial business partner to plant leadership, providing clear, data-driven insights to support operational and strategic decisions.
• - Prepare executive-level analyses and presentations for plant, regional, and finance leadership.
• - Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Finance teams.

Controls, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• - Support documentation and execution of SOX controls related to costing, inventory, and financial reporting.
• - Assist with internal and external audits by providing analysis, explanations, and supporting documentation.
• - Participate in and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance cost visibility, reporting quality, and decision support.

Qualifications Minimum Qualifications

• - Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• -3+ years of experience in cost accounting, manufacturing finance, or a related analytical role.
• - Strong understanding of cost accounting principles and manufacturing cost drivers.
• - Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial analysis tools; experience with ERP systems required.
• - Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• - CPA, CMA, or equivalent professional certification.
• - Experience in a multi-plant or multinational manufacturing environment.
• - Demonstrated experience partnering with operations and driving cost or productivity improvements.

Key Competencies

• - Analytical and critical thinking
• - Financial and operational acumen
• - Business partnering mindset
• - Attention to detail and data integrity
• - Continuous improvement orientation
• - Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights

Travel

• No extensive/overnight travel required. We have various locations in Pennsylvania that will need to occasionally visit.