Senior Cost Accountant – Manufacturing

Pottsville, PA | Up to $125K + Bonus | Succession Path to Controller
Confidential Global Manufacturer

A global industry leader with a long-standing history of manufacturing excellence is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to join its high-performing plant finance team near Pottsville, PA. As a trusted third‑party recruiting partner, we are managing this search confidentially on behalf of the employer.

This organization operates more than 100 production sites worldwide and is recognized for its commitment to safety, innovation, and employee development. The Senior Cost Accountant will take ownership of plant cost accounting, inventory controls, variance analysis, and manufacturing KPIs—while being groomed as the successor to the Plant Controller.

This is an excellent opportunity for a cost-focused finance professional ready to step into broader leadership.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary up to $125,000, DOE
• Annual Bonus Eligibility
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Prescription benefits
• Disability & Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match/Contributions
• Education Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Strong succession planning and internal career mobility

Position Overview

The Senior Cost Accountant supports the plant by ensuring accurate costing, inventory valuation, standard cost maintenance, and financial reporting. This individual partners closely with operations, supply chain, and the Controller to provide financial insights that drive efficiency, profitability, and strategic decision-making.

This position is intentionally positioned as a succession plan to Controller, offering expanded exposure to monthly close, planning, forecasting, internal controls, and operational finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain standard costs, cost rolls, and annual cost updates
• Analyze manufacturing variances, labor efficiencies, overhead absorption, and material usage
• Perform inventory valuation, reconciliations, and analysis of inventory movement
• Support monthly close including journal entries, account reconciliations, and cost of goods sold
• Track and analyze capital expenditures, fixed assets, and depreciation
• Partner with operations to develop and monitor manufacturing KPIs
• Prepare detailed cost, margin, and profitability analyses
• Provide data and financial support for budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning
• Assist with internal controls, audit support, and compliance with financial policies
• Participate in physical inventory counts and fixed asset inventories
• Provide ad hoc analysis and reporting to plant leadership and the Controller
• Lead and support continuous improvement efforts in systems, reporting, and processes

Required Experience

• 5+ years of cost accounting or plant financial analysis experience
• Strong understanding of standard costing, variances, overhead allocations, and BOM/Routing structures
• Experience with manufacturing inventory, valuation, and reconciliation
• Deep familiarity with manufacturing KPIs and operational financial metrics
• ERP experience (SAP or Oracle strongly preferred)
• Experience supporting financial reporting, cost analysis, and internal controls
• Manufacturing industry experience required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a high-volume or fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to connect cost data to operational performance
• Skilled at presenting data-driven insights to operations leadership
• Self-starter who thrives in a continuous improvement culture
• Demonstrated accountability and ownership of results