Cost Accountant (End Plant)

About the role

Our Waco, TX facility manufactures aluminum ends/lids for beverage cans used in soft drinks, beers, energy drinks, teas and non-carbonated beverages. The Cost Accountant plays a vital role in the financial management of this high-volume aluminum end manufacturing facility, analyzing and reporting all costs associated with raw materials (aluminum coils), labor, overhead, and production variances. This position provides crucial data and analysis to support pricing decisions, profitability tracking, process efficiency improvements, and inventory valuation in a lean, high-speed environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and analyze the standard cost system for all finished goods (can ends) and work-in-process (WIP) inventory, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Conduct deep analysis of production variances, including material usage variance (especially aluminum scrap rates), labor efficiency, and overhead absorption to identify root causes and quantify financial impacts.
• Manage the accurate valuation of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods inventory, performing monthly reconciliations and ensuring compliance with GAAP/IFRS standards.
• Lead the cost-related activities for the monthly financial close, including journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and reporting on the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).
• Collaborate with operations and finance teams to develop annual budgets and periodic forecasts for material, labor, and overhead costs, highlighting key risks and opportunities.
• Partner with Plant Operations to analyze manufacturing processes, identifying cost drivers and recommending methods to improve production efficiency and reduce waste (e.g., in the high-speed press and coating lines).
• Assist in the financial justification and tracking of capital projects, performing post-completion audits to evaluate actual savings and ROI.
• Prepare detailed product line profitability reports, customer contribution margins, and gross profit analysis to guide sales and marketing strategies.
• Ensure the integrity of cost data within the ERP system (e.g., SAP) by auditing Bill of Materials (BOMs), routings, and material master records.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; or, in lieu of a degree, minimum 4 years’ experience in a leadership role in manufacturing.
• Solid understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) related to cost accounting and inventory valuation.
• Expert proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, advanced formulas).
• Strong working knowledge of a major ERP system (SAP experience preferred).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business insights for non-financial managers.
• Preferred: 3+ years of experience as a Cost Accountant or Analyst, preferably in a food-grade or high-speed automated machinery environment, such as metal forming, packaging, or can manufacturing.

General Skills and Experience

• Aptitude in spatial reasoning, attention to detail, and skilled craftsmanship.
• Mechanical aptitude and experience working with machines and general tooling.
• Skilled in hand and power tool usage; ability to operate heavy machinery.
• Ability to follow proper safety procedures; use of precision measuring instruments; working knowledge of automation standard practices.
• Proactive and takes ownership to resolve problems and issues; ability to work with employees from many different cultures and backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and planning skills; excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Self-starter, capable of self-supervision; willing to accept a variety of assignments and identify/implement process improvements or efficiencies leading to cost reductions.
• Demonstrated experience where quick-thinking and problem solving plays a critical role.

Software and Computer Skills

• General knowledge of basic hardware and software; familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Google Workspace, and web-site software.