Cost Accounting Manager - Manufacturing

Cost Accounting Manager - Manufacturing - Base Salary to 120k/year - Janesville, WI

• Our client, a well-established manufacturer within the industrial products sector, is seeking a Cost Accounting Manager to support plant-level financial operations at their Janesville, WI facility. This role will lead cost accounting functions in a manufacturing environment, partnering closely with operations to drive cost visibility, inventory accuracy, and production efficiency.
• This is an onsite position with relocation assistance available.

Responsibilities:

• Lead cost accounting activities within a manufacturing environment, including standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation
• Own and maintain standard cost systems, including updates to bills of materials (BOMs) and production routings
• Analyze material, labor, and overhead costs to identify trends, variances, and cost-saving opportunities
• Partner directly with plant operations leadership to improve cost control and operational performance
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including ERP-driven cost accounting close (SAP environment)
• Monitor and report on key plant KPIs, including production efficiency, scrap, and yield
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes, including cost projections and operational planning
• Ensure accuracy of inventory accounting, including cycle counts and physical inventory processes
• Provide detailed analysis of production variances and operational discrepancies
• Support internal and external audits by preparing financial data and documentation
• Supervise and develop accounting staff

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
• 3+ years of cost accounting experience within a manufacturing environment
• Hands-on experience with:
  • Standard costing
  • Variance analysis (material, labor, overhead)
  • Inventory accounting and controls
• Experience using SAP in a manufacturing environment (costing, inventory, or production-related modules)
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables and data analysis
• Prior experience leading or supervising accounting staff
• Ability to work onsite in Janesville, WI (relocation assistance available)
• Experience with SAP modules such as CO (Controlling), FI (Financial Accounting), MM (Materials Management), or PP (Production Planning)
• Experience with Power BI or other data visualization tools
• Experience supporting plant-level accounting or manufacturing operations finance

Compensation:

• Base salary in the 100k – 120k/year range
• Bonus eligibility
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Relocation assistance available