Cost Accountant

Composed of Chromalox, Durex Industries, Vulcanic, and Thermocoax businesses, Electrical Thermal Solutions (ETS), part of Spirax Group, creates electrical process heating and temperature management solutions, including industrial heaters and systems, heat tracing, and a range of component technologies. At Chromalox, we build advanced thermal technologies for the world’s most challenging industrial heating applications. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, we got our start with an innovative solution 100 years ago when a self-taught engineer invented the first metal-sheathed resistance heating element. We excel in industries that have high expectations and are acknowledged as experts at delivering solutions that exceed specifications, limit risk, and reduce operating costs.

About the role

The Cost Accountant is a key member of the plant finance team responsible for driving profitability improvements and overseeing financial and cost analysis activities. This role is pivotal in supporting the plant to meet its financial commitments and strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of manufacturing cost flows, proven experience in manufacturing, and the ability to influence cross-functionally across Finance, Operations, Engineering, and Procurement. This position offers a unique opportunity to support bottom-line improvement and drive meaningful operational and financial impact.

Responsibilities

• Manage standard cost updates, including annual cost roll and maintenance of Bill of Materials (BOM) and Routing data to ensure accurate cost tracking and inventory valuation.
• Support senior management with detailed information on Inventory Management and analysis to help manage inventory levels, highlighting key insights and recommendations.
• Prepare detailed inventory reporting, including inventory obsolescence, cycle count accuracy, and completeness.
• Conduct detailed financial analysis on large projects, including variance and profitability analysis.
• Maintain and improve financial data and databases to ensure accurate and timely financial information.
• Support procurement with analytical reporting to ensure cost-effective purchasing and supply chain efficiency.
• Analyze and improve productivity metrics across various supply sites.
• Utilize strong analytical skills to interpret complex financial data and provide actionable insights.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, procedures, and support audit requests as required.
• Perform ad hoc financial analysis and projects as required by the Plant Controller.

Requirements

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field; or equivalent experience considered.
• Demonstrated experience in a manufacturing environment is required, with a strong preference for engineered-to-order (ETO) operations.
• Proven ability to partner cross-functionally with engineering, operations, procurement, and supply chain teams to support manufacturing and cost-driven decision-making.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including BOMs, routings, labor reporting, standard costing, and overhead allocations.
• Proficiency with ERP and accounting systems (e.g., JDE, SAP, Oracle).
• Advanced Excel and strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize and communicate complex data.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across all organizational levels.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and adapt in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement.