We are looking for a Cost Accounting Manager to lead plant-level financial oversight in Calabasas, California. This position will guide budgeting, reporting, and cost analysis activities while providing leadership across accounting operations in a retail-linked manufacturing environment. The role will partner closely with operations and senior leadership to improve financial visibility, strengthen controls, and support profitable decision-making.
Responsibilities:
- Direct plant finance activities, including budgeting, accounting oversight, and regular financial reporting to monitor business performance.
- Lead product cost management by maintaining accurate costing methods, reviewing margin performance, and investigating manufacturing variances.
- Oversee accounts payable operations to support policy compliance, timely vendor payments, and reliable financial documentation.
- Manage monthly and quarterly close activities, including account reconciliations, review of cost-related entries, and preparation of financial statements.
- Build and refine standard cost models for materials, labor, and overhead to support accurate valuation and planning.
- Evaluate manufacturing spend and identify practical opportunities to reduce costs and improve overall profitability.
- Partner with production and operations leaders on process improvement efforts that enhance efficiency and financial performance.
- Prepare and deliver recurring cost reports, operational metrics, and variance commentary for senior leadership, including recommended corrective actions.
- Supervise inventory accounting through cycle counts, physical counts, and reconciliation processes to ensure accurate valuation.
- Develop and coach a small accounting team while promoting strong controls, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
- At least 5 years of experience in cost accounting and financial operations within a manufacturing setting; food industry experience is strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of people management experience.
- Strong command of standard costing, inventory accounting, variance analysis, and manufacturing finance principles.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience working with enterprise resource planning systems.
- Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with close attention to accuracy.
- Effective communication and presentation skills, including the ability to translate financial results for operational stakeholders.
- CPA or a comparable certification is preferred.