Job Title:

Cost Accountant Specialist – Miceli Dairy Products Company

Position Summary:

The Cost Accountant Specialist manages product costing, analyzes production variances, and monitors inventory valuation. This role works closely with plant operations, milk procurement, and supply chain teams to optimize margins, ensure accurate standard costs, and support profitability analysis for different cheese varieties and packaging types.

Key Responsibilities:

• Product Costing & Standard Maintenance: Establish and update standard costs for raw milk, cultures, rennet, packaging materials, direct labor, and factory overhead. Review Bills of Materials (BOM) and routing steps regularly to reflect actual plant floor operations.
• Variance Analysis: Analyze daily, weekly, and monthly variances between standard and actual production costs. Investigate root causes for milk yield losses, scrap, rework, utility usage spikes, and labor inefficiencies.
• Inventory Control & Valuation: Oversee physical inventory counts and cycle counts for raw ingredients, ripening/aging cheese blocks, and finished goods. Reconcile inventory discrepancies between the plant floor, ERP system, and third-party logistics (3PL) warehouses.
• Month-End Close: Perform month-end closing activities related to Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), inventory reserves, and manufacturing variances. Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Profitability & Margin Reporting: Generate gross margin and product profitability reports by specific cheese line, customer, or distribution channel.
• Continuous Improvement & Compliance: Partner with plant managers to drive cost-reduction projects and waste elimination. Ensure all accounting procedures align with GAAP and internal financial controls.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: 3 to 5 years of cost accounting experience, ideally within a food, beverage, or perishable goods manufacturing environment.
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Experience working with major ERP systems.
• Core Competencies: Strong analytical mindset, high attention to detail, and the ability to explain complex financial data to non-financial operational leaders.

Pay: From $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person