Senior Cost Manager

Position SummaryThe Senior Cost & Inventory Manager is responsible for leading cost accounting and inventory control activities to ensure accurate product costing, inventory valuation, and financial reporting. This role partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance leadership to improve cost visibility, strengthen internal controls, and support strategic decision-making within a manufacturing environment.Key ResponsibilitiesOversee inventory accounting and ensure GAAP-compliant inventory valuationPrepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and audit support documentationAnalyze manufacturing productivity, cost performance, and financial resultsLead the monthly close process related to inventory and cost accounting, including cost review packages, KPIs, and operational metricsMaintain and update financial models, templates, and reporting tools used internally and externallyPrepare and update financial and operational forecasts, including variance analysisDevelop cost and opportunity analyses to support business decisionsMonitor and validate financial data across consolidated systems supporting manufacturing operationsParticipate in cross-functional initiatives focused on continuous improvementDesign, monitor, and audit internal controls related to inventory and manufacturing costs, recommending corrective actions as neededLead planning activities for assigned manufacturing operations and drive accountability to achieve operating plan targetsSupport budgeting, forecasting, and Annual Operating Plan (AOP) processesCoordinate physical inventory counts and investigate discrepanciesServe as a subject matter expert in cost accounting principles, inventory valuation methods, and GAAP complianceKnowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesStrong understanding of manufacturing operations, cost drivers, margin analysis, and productivity metricsAbility to analyze complex financial and operational data and translate insights into actionable recommendationsProven experience building and maintaining strong internal controls and audit readinessAdvanced Excel and financial modeling skills, including variance, cost, and performance analysisExperience working with ERP and consolidated financial systems, ensuring data accuracy and system integrityStrong ownership mindset with the ability to lead planning and forecasting processesExcellent organizational and time management skills in a deadline-driven environmentClear communication skills, with the ability to present financial results to both finance and non-finance stakeholdersHigh degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretionEducation and ExperienceBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field requiredCPA, CMA, or MBA preferred7-10 years of progressive experience in cost accounting and inventory management, preferably in a manufacturing environment Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.Equal Opportunity NoticeHighspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR@vaco.com .Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.Representation NoticeBy submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.Privacy NoticeVaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.Residents of all other states may access our policies here.Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.Pay Transparency NoticeDetermining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:· the individual's skill sets, experience and training;· licensure and certification requirements;· office location and other geographic considerations; and· other business and organizational needs.With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).