OverviewThe Lead Cost Accountant is responsible for end-to-end cost accounting, inventory control, and operational financial reporting across multiple business units, with direct support for Performance Parts manufacturing (sheet metal) and distribution (warehouse operations). This role serves as a strategic finance partner to operations, providing insight into cost drivers, labor productivity, and margin performance. The position blends technical cost accounting expertise with ownership of inventory processes, multi-entity P&L consolidation, and leadership of billing and transactional accounting staff.
ResponsibilitiesCost Accounting & Analysis- Maintain and update standard costs for labor, materials, and overhead within the ERP system (Oracle EBS preferred)
- Analyze and explain key variances, including labor, overhead, purchase price, and usage
- Support cost rollups and ensure accuracy of frozen standard costs
- Provide ongoing analysis of cost drivers and margin performance
Inventory Management & Control- Own inventory accuracy, valuation, and reporting across sheet metal manufacturing and parts warehouse operations (including picking and distribution)
- Lead physical inventory counts and cycle count programs across manufacturing and warehouse locations
- Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies in partnership with operations
- Strengthen inventory controls, processes, and data integrity across both manufacturing and distribution environments
Operations Finance & Margin Support- Partner with manufacturing and warehouse operations to analyze labor productivity, picking efficiency, and labor-to-sales ratios
- Provide visibility into cost drivers across production and distribution workflows
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and cost structure
- Serve as a primary financial liaison between accounting and operations teams
Revenue & P&L Reporting- Manage and support revenue accruals and related financial entries
- Consolidate and report financial results across multiple P&Ls/business units
- Provide clear, actionable reporting on margins, cost trends, and financial performance
- Support leadership with insights to drive informed business decisions
Team Leadership & Oversight- Supervise billing clerks and transactional accounting staff
- Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistency in billing processes
- Provide coaching, performance direction, and oversight of daily activities
- Drive process improvements and strengthen internal controls
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 5-10+ years of experience in cost accounting, inventory accounting, or operations finance
- Strong understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory controls
- Experience supporting multiple business units or P&Ls
- Ability to effectively partner with operations and communicate financial information clearly
- Prior experience leading or supervising staff
Preferred- Experience with Oracle EBS or similar ERP system
- Experience in both manufacturing and distribution environments
- Exposure to union labor environments and labor cost modeling
Key Competencies- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to translate financial data into operational insights
- Proactive, ownership-oriented mindset
- Effective communication with both finance and non-finance stakeholders
- Leadership and team development capabilities
What Success Looks Like- Inventory is accurate, controlled, and consistently well-managed
- Cost variances are clearly identified, explained, and proactively addressed
- Operations views finance as a trusted partner in decision-making
- Billing processes are efficient, accurate, and scalable
- Leadership receives clear, concise, and actionable financial reporting
- The role demonstrates strong ownership and continuous improvement
Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You*Hussmann is committed to supporting your total wellbeing through a wide variety of benefits and wellness programs to support your physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health. Here's what you can expect:
- Health Benefits - Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
- Voluntary Benefits - Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
- Hussmann Retirement Savings & Investment Plan - 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
- Paid Time-Off Benefits - Paid time off, stewardship and parental leave.
- Educational Assistance - Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
- Health Management and Wellbeing Programs -EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, and tobacco cessation.
*Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following their start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status.
Hussmann is a subsidiary of Panasonic USA.
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