Cost Accountant Analyst

SL Tennessee; Clinton (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SL Tennessee is seeking a Cost Accountant Analyst to develop accurate cost models and perform detailed cost analyses across products and components. You will support sourcing, engineering, and manufacturing teams with fact-based estimates and drive cost-reduction initiatives.

The role requires 2–3 years in ABC, greenfield/brownfield costing, and cost estimation, with strong analytical and communication skills to influence decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• 2–3 years of experience in cost engineering related to manufacturing.
• Experience with should-costing, cost estimation, and value engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed cost models and should-cost analyses for mechanical and electronic components.
• Analyze BOMs, processes, and supplier quotations to determine optimal costs.
• Evaluate supplier cost structures and support sourcing negotiations with data-driven estimates.
• Conduct cost benchmarking and identify opportunities for reductions and value engineering.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Product Development to optimize product costs.
• Perform feasibility and cost evaluations for new products and programs.
• Create business cases and cost estimates for Greenfield and Brownfield manufacturing projects.
• Generate cost insights and reports to support strategic decisions.
• Analyze and report product and part cost to inform management.

Skills

ABC costing

Should-costing

Cost modeling

Cost benchmarking

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Apriori

Siemens PCS/M

DFMA

Cost Estimator

AI-powered tools

Job description

About this position

General Description

The Cost Accountant Analyst is responsible for developing accurate cost models and conducting detailed cost analysis to determine the optimal manufacturing cost of products, components, and assemblies. The role supports sourcing, procurement, engineering and product development teams by providing fact-based cost estimates, identifying cost reduction opportunities, and driving value engineering initiatives across the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed product cost models and should-cost analyses for mechanical and electronic components.
• Analyze Bills of Materials (BOMs), manufacturing processes, and supplier quotations.
• Evaluate supplier cost structures and support sourcing negotiations through fact-based cost estimates.
• Conduct cost benchmarking and identify cost reduction opportunities.
• Support value engineering and design-to-cost initiatives.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Product Development teams to optimize product costs.
• Perform manufacturing feasibility and process-cost evaluations for new products and programs.
• Develop business cases and cost estimates for Greenfield and Brownfield manufacturing projects.
• Generate cost insights and reports to support strategic business decisions.
• Analyze and report the product and part cost
• Create ideas for improvement

Job Requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering

Work Experience

Minimum 2 to 3 years of experience in:

• Activity-Based Costing (ABC)
• Greenfield Costing
• Brownfield Costing
• Product and Manufacturing Cost Estimation
• Cost Benchmarking and Cost Modeling

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Good ethical characteristics and behaviors
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and similar software, as well as cost estimation and costing applications such as Apriori, Siemens PCS/M, DFMA, Cost Estimator, and AI-powered tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in should-costing and product-costing analysis across diverse manufacturing domains, including plastic injection molding, die casting, electronics, metal stamping, and secondary processes, enabling accurate cost estimation, cost optimization, and value engineering.