Cost Accountant

Nonni's; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Nonni's Bakery is seeking a Manufacturing Cost Accountant/Financial Analyst to manage cost accounting and analyze financial performance of our production operations in Chicago, IL or Ferndale, NY. The role focuses on standard cost reporting, BOM validation, variance analysis, and partnering with plant leadership to drive profitability.

The ideal candidate has 3–7 years of cost accounting experience in food manufacturing, strong GAAP knowledge, and proficiency with ERP systems (SAP/Oracle) and

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of cost accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Food manufacturing or CPG experience preferred.
• Experience with standard cost accounting.
• ERP systems expertise (SAP/Oracle) required.
• Strong GAAP knowledge and costing standards.
• Excel proficiency and financial modeling.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly manufacturing variance analysis (materials, labor, overhead, yield, waste).
• Analyze bills of materials, recipes, routings, and labor standards for costing.
• Support annual standard cost roll and periodic cost updates.
• Assist month-end close: journal entries, accruals, reconciliations.
• Provide financial insights to plant leadership to improve profitability.
• Participate in inventory controls and audits.

Skills

Cost accounting

GAAP

Excel

Financial modeling

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

SAP

Oracle

BI reporting tools

Job description

Job Title

Manufacturing Cost Accountant/Financial Analyst

Reporting to

Director of Finance -Manufacturing

Job Location

Chicago, IL or Ferndale, NY

Job Summary

The Manufacturing Cost Accountant/Financial Analyst for Nonni's Bakery is responsible for managing and analyzing all aspects of manufacturing cost accounting and financial performance within the company's production operations. This includes ensuring accurate cost reporting, variance analysis, inventory controls, and providing actionable financial insights to plant leadership and senior management. The ideal candidate will have experience in a food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods environment, with a strong understanding of standard cost accounting, bill of materials validation, and the unique financial dynamics of a production-driven business.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Variance Analysis

• Prepare monthly manufacturing variance analysis, including material, labor, overhead, yield and waste variances.
• Partner with plant operations to identify root causes of variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Monitor production performance and provide actionable insights to improve manufacturing efficiency and profitability.

Cost Accounting

• Participate in and coordinate the annual standard cost roll process and periodic cost updates.
• Analyze and validate bills of materials, recipes, routings, and labor standards to ensure costing accuracy.
• Support new product development through cost modeling and profitability analysis.

Inventory Accounting & Controls

• Support cycle count programs and physical inventory counts.
• Review inventory adjustments and ensure proper approval and documentation.
• Analyze inventory reserves, obsolescence risk, slow‑moving inventory, and product destruction activities.
• Ensure compliance with inventory controls policies and segregation of duties requirements.
• Assist with month‑end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long‑term strategic planning development for manufacturing.

Operational Support

• Partner with plant leadership to identify cost‑saving opportunities, productivity improvements, and margin enhancement initiatives.
• Support capital expenditure projects through financial analysis and post‑implementation reviews.
• Provide financial guidance for operational decision‑making and continuous improvement projects.

Audit & Compliance

• Support internal and external audit requests.
• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and procedures.
• Assist in the development and implementation of inventory controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 3‑7 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods (CPG) experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working within a standard cost accounting environment required.
• Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing reporting tools (e.g., SAP, Oracle) required.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and cost accounting standards as they apply to manufacturing operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling; experience with BI/reporting tools a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.

Personal Qualities

• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results‑orientation, with a track record for delivering to plan.
• Flexibility to adapt quickly to changing circumstances; able to proactively question and challenge to prioritize and identify solutions in a timely manner.
• Clear thinker with outstanding numeric ability supported by a rounded commercial awareness.
• Able to see the big picture but possesses a pragmatic/flexible approach to delivery.
• Curious in nature and always looking to question, learn, and look for better ways to do things.
• Thrives and enjoys working in a company with a diverse and fast‑paced environment, team oriented.

Work Environment

This position is based on‑site at Nonni's Bakery manufacturing facility in Ferndale, NY, or the Corporate Office HQ in Chicago, IL, and may require occasional travel to manufacturing locations.