The Cost Accounting Manager leads the execution and end-to end ownership of inventory accounting, weigh-ups, valuation, commodity accounting, manufacturing financial reporting, and control activities across assigned operations. This role acts as a mentor and coach to the Cost Accounting team, establishes consistent practices, and ensures accurate and timely financial reporting while maintaining a strong control environment. The Cost Accounting Manager partners closely with Operations, FP&A, and Finance leadership to identify risks, improve processes, validation of outcomes, escalation with timely issue closure with providing recommendations and clarity around manufacturing and inventory-related financial results. Through strong leadership, sound judgment, and a focus on simplification and scalability, the role helps transform and strengthen the Cost Accounting function while executing the strategic vision established by Finance leadership.
- Establish consistent execution of inventory accounting, valuation.
- Oversee month-end and year-end close activities related to inventory, commodity accounting, manufacturing accounting, and related balance sheet accounts.
- Evaluate control deficiencies, process risks, and accounting issues, recommend remediation plans, and lead implementation efforts in partnership with the finance leadership.
- Oversee valuation of commodity inventories and related liabilities and ensure consistency of accounting practices across the organization.
- Monitor inventory accuracy, adjustment activity, count results, and reconciliation differences to identify risks and improve financial integrity.
- Partner with Operations, FP&A, and Finance leadership to evaluate manufacturing performance trends, inventory risks, commodity market impacts, and financial results, helping prioritize actions and continuous improvement opportunities.
- Drive standardization, simplification, and scalability initiatives that improve reporting, controls, and organizational effectiveness.
- Identify and support activities around continuous improvement opportunities – including ongoing transformational changes to ERP, data, manufacturing execution and up-stream plant processes, reporting, and overall accounting processes. Effectively identify, prioritize, and implement improvements will appropriate change management.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, internal controls, and regulatory requirements.
- Support audit activities and serve as a key point of coordination for external audit requests related to inventory and manufacturing accounting.
- Accountability for using reporting tools, automation, self-service analytics, and emerging AI capabilities to improve data quality, control effectiveness, speed, and decision support.
- Translate manufacturing, inventory, and commodity results into concise narratives, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions for Operations and Finance leaders.
- Challenge assumptions constructively, align priorities across facilities, and connect Cost Accounting decisions to enterprise financial and operational outcomes.
- Responsible for documentation standards, cross-training, succession depth, and reducing key-person dependency across the Cost Accounting team.
Education
- Bachelor's Degree OR equivalent experience.
Experience
- 8+ years of relevant experience
- Experience developing and implementing accounting processes, controls, and process improvements.
- CPA preferred; CMA considered for candidates with significant manufacturing accounting leadership experience.
- Experience supporting complex ERP environments and process transformation initiatives preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Advanced knowledge of inventory accounting, manufacturing accounting, commodity accounting, financial controls, and risk management.
- Ability to assess risks and prioritize resources across multiple facilities, processes, and initiatives.
- Ability to evaluate operational and financial performance trends across multiple facilities and identify enterprise risks, improvement opportunities, and emerging business issues.
- Ability to develop teams through coaching, mentorship, and professional development.
- Ability to lead change and drive adoption of improved processes and controls.
- Ability to communicate complex financial and operational concepts to stakeholders at varying organizational levels.
- Ability to build partnerships across Operations, Finance, FP&A, and related functions.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
- Ability to drive scalability, simplification, and continuous improvement within a growing accounting organization.
- Experience in delivering measurable outcomes such as cycle time, first-pass quality, recurring issue reduction, control performance, and realization of automation benefits.
Language
Travel
- Up to 5% travel required.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Location:
Denver CO
Address:
1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202
Additional Locations (if applicable):
Employment Type:
Full time
Additional Information:
Competitive Compensation:
We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate’s unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $128,300.00 - $153,900.00, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - MIP, 15% Annual.
Benefits:
At Ardent Mills we offer a wide range of benefits to our team members and their eligible family members. Some of our great benefit programs you may be eligible for include: • Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage• Health and Dependent Savings Accounts • Life and Disability Programs • Voluntary Benefit Programs • Company Sponsored Wellness Programs • Retirement Savings with Company Match • Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP) • Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays • Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE).
Application Deadline:
12/22/2026
12/22/2026
Role Designation
Ardent Mills is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. This role follows a hybrid work arrangement and will be based in the assigned work location. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person from their assigned office location two days per week (Tuesday and Wednesday), except when traveling for business.
