Associate Manager, Operations Finance

Cesna-Recruitment; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Cesna-Recruitment is seeking an experienced Operations Finance professional in Reston, VA to strengthen plant accounting, COGS analysis, and cost allocations. This role partners with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Procurement to drive profitability through data-driven insights and driver-based cost models.

The ideal candidate has a strong Excel foundation, familiarity with SAP HANA and Power BI, and can lead budgeting, forecasting, and month-end close processes while traveling as

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of experience in operations finance or cost accounting.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, or related field is required.
• Strong understanding of cost drivers (materials, labor, overhead, logistics).
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel; SAP HANA and Power BI a plus.
• Prior work experience in Manufacturing/CPG or co-packing environments preferred.
• Analytical, able to multi-task, detail-oriented and self-motivated.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (15–20%).

Responsibilities

• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Procurement to analyze COGS drivers and profitability.
• Own monthly COGS and manufacturing variance analysis including volume, yield, usage, mix and conversion costs.
• Support cost optimization initiatives across internal manufacturing and co-packing operations.
• Lead the annual operating plan and forecasting for Operations, COGS and cost drivers.
• Develop driver-based models linking volume, yield, COGS components and KPIs to financial outcomes.
• Participate in month-end close to ensure accuracy of Operations and COGS results.
• Lead monthly COGS and plant performance reviews with stakeholders and action plans.
• Support financial evaluation of operational initiatives and manufacturing investments.

Skills

Analytical

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, or related field

Tools

SAP HANA

Power BI

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Description

• Support Operations Finance Manager with design standardized & improved plant accounting operations in support of general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, capital assets, raw materials, and finished goods accounting.
• Support Operations Finance Manager with development of consistent and improved activity- based costing metrics and cost allocations for insightful plant performance analysis.
• Support and create streamlined plant financial accounting processes, reporting, and analysis.

Job Responsibilities

• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Procurement to analyze COGS drivers, including raw materials, packaging, ingredients, conversion, labor, overhead, logistics and co-packing costs, and identify impacts to profitability.
• Own monthly COGS and manufacturing variance analysis, including volume, yield, usage, mix, rate and conversion cost variances, explaining deviations vs AOP and forecast.
• Support cost optimization initiatives across internal manufacturing and co-packing operations, including plant efficiency, yield improvement, sourcing decisions and margin improvement opportunities.
• Lead the annual operating plan and forecasting for Operations, COGS and related manufacturing cost drivers, highlighting key risks and opportunities while driving potential mitigating actions.
• Develop driver-based models linking volume, yield, COGS components, co-packing assumptions and operational KPIs to financial outcomes.
• Participate in the month-end close to ensure accuracy of Operations and COGS results, timely understanding of variance drivers and appropriate follow-up with Accounting and Operations teams.
• Lead monthly COGS and plant performance reviews with stakeholders to ensure accountability, alignment on cost targets and timely action plans for performance gaps.
• Support financial evaluation of operational initiatives and manufacturing-related investments, ensuring assumptions, benefits and cost impacts are appropriately reviewed.
• Support capital planning and post-implementation reviews for manufacturing and operations initiatives, with focus on COGS impact, productivity benefits and execution against approved assumptions.
• Partner with operations to evaluate capacity, automation, co-packing and cost reduction initiatives, including make-versus-buy considerations and financial impact on COGS.
• Conduct ad hoc analyses and projects to support Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement and business management decisions related to COGS, plant performance and co-packing economics.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of experience in operations finance, or cost accounting, plant finance or a similar COGS-focused role
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, or related field is required
• Strong understanding of cost drivers (materials, labor, overhead, logistics, etc.)
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel required - SAP HANA and Power BI a plus
• Prior work experience in Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, Consumer Packaged Goods or co-packing environments is preferred
• Analytical, ability to multi-task, attention to detail and self-motivated
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (15 – 20%) to support plant visits, operational reviews and cross-functional collaboration