Senior Manager, Cost Accounting

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Cost Accounting Leadership

• Lead and manage the HDD cost accounting function, ensuring consistent and accurate cost standards across all manufacturing sites.
• Develop, implement, and maintain cost accounting systems, policies, and procedures aligned with company strategy.
• Manage quarterly standard cost updates—ensuring the accuracy of BOM, labor, and overhead costs, and that updates are completed in a timely manner.
• Conduct detailed manufacturing cost and variance analyses, including root cause investigations.

Inventory & Manufacturing Accounting

• Ensure accurate valuation of inventory (raw materials, WIP, finished goods) across global sites, contract manufacturers, and logistics centers.
• Analyze production costs and partner with operations to identify inefficiencies and drive cost reduction initiatives.
• Lead monthly and quarterly close activities for COGS and inventory, including comprehensive reviews of inventory reserve calculations across all categories, lower of cost or market (LCM) analysis for finished goods, and balance sheet account reconciliations.

Analysis & Reporting

• Deliver insightful cost analysis and financial reporting to support manufacturing, supply chain, and executive leadership.
• Analyze reports on cost trends, purchase price variance (PPV), usage, scrap, and absorption variances
• Collaborate with FP&A on budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure adherence to GAAP/IFRS, internal policies, and SOX compliance requirements.
• Maintain robust internal controls over inventory and cost accounting processes.
• Support internal and external audits related to cost accounting and inventory.

Process Improvement & Simplification

• Lead initiatives to streamline and simplify cost accounting processes.
• Enhance systems, reporting tools, and methodologies for improved accuracy and efficiency.
• Promote automation and standardization across global sites to minimize manual work and errors.

Leadership & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing cost accounting team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching and career development to support team growth.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Finance to align cost strategies with business objectives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on cost impacts of new product introductions, process changes, and technological advancements.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in cost accounting or manufacturing finance, including 4+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience in high-tech manufacturing environments, preferably in HDD, semiconductors, or electronics.

PREFERRED:

• Experience supporting global manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong project management and change leadership capabilities.

SKILLS:

• Strong knowledge of standard costing, variance analysis, inventory control, and manufacturing operations.
• Good command of English both in writing and speaking
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., Oracle) and advanced analytics tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.