Cost Accounting Analyst

Nestlé S.A.; Jonesboro (AR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Nestlé USA is seeking a Cost Accounting Analyst to partner with factory leadership and cross‑functional teams to provide accurate costing, financial analysis, and compliance oversight. You will maintain product costs, analyze manufacturing performance, and support budgeting and forecasting activities.

The role emphasizes identifying cost improvements, ensuring data integrity, supporting period-end close, and delivering actionable insights that drive operational efficiency and business

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in accounting, finance, cost accounting, or manufacturing finance.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills.
• Experience with financial systems, ERP systems, and reporting tools.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and planning skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate product costing in accordance with Nestlé Costing Standards.
• Develop and support cost estimates for new and existing products.
• Analyze manufacturing variances, cost drivers, and operational performance.
• Challenge assumptions and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency and reduce operating expenses.
• Support factory initiatives and cost improvement projects through financial analysis and recommendations.
• Support period-end close activities, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of factory financial results.
• Prepare and analyze financial reports for factory and corporate management.
• Assist with forecasting, budgeting, and business planning activities.
• Perform financial modeling, scenario analyses, and simulations as needed.
• Monitor performance against budget and forecast targets and support action plans to address gaps.

Skills

Analytical skills

ERP systems

Excel proficiency

Financial modeling

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Reporting tools

Job description

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow.

At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives.

Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk‑taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Position Summary

The Cost Accounting Analyst partners with factory leadership and cross-functional teams to provide accurate costing, financial analysis, inventory control support, and compliance oversight. This role is responsible for maintaining product costs, analyzing manufacturing performance, supporting budgeting and forecasting activities, and ensuring compliance with Nestlé Accounting Standards (NAS), costing standards, and internal control requirements.

The position plays a key role in identifying cost improvement opportunities, improving data accuracy, supporting period-end close activities, and providing financial insights that help drive operational efficiency and business performance.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Analysis

• Maintain accurate product costing in accordance with Nestlé Costing Standards.
• Develop and support cost estimates for new and existing products.
• Analyze manufacturing variances, cost drivers, and operational performance.
• Challenge assumptions and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency and reduce operating expenses.
• Support factory initiatives and cost improvement projects through financial analysis and recommendations.
• Support period-end close activities, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of factory financial results.
• Prepare and analyze financial reports for factory and corporate management.
• Assist with forecasting, budgeting, and business planning activities.
• Perform financial modeling, scenario analyses, and simulations as needed.
• Monitor performance against budget and forecast targets and support action plans to address gaps.

Inventory & Data Management

• Maintain and validate bills of materials (BOMs) to ensure costing accuracy.
• Conduct regular inventory and cost data reviews to identify discrepancies, losses, or variances.
• Investigate and resolve cost and inventory‑related issues.
• Promote data integrity and ownership at the source to support reliable reporting.

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Ensure adherence to Nestlé Accounting Standards (NAS), costing standards, and applicable financial requirements.
• Partner with factory compliance and technical teams to deploy best practices and compliance initiatives.
• Monitor completion of compliance health checks and required control activities.
• Track audit findings and corrective actions to ensure timely resolution.
• Support internal, external, peer, and corporate audit activities.

Cross‑Functional Partnership

• Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Factory Leadership to support business objectives.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to improve decision‑making and operational performance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through data‑driven analysis.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in accounting, finance, cost accounting, or manufacturing finance.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills.
• Experience with financial systems, ERP systems, and reporting tools.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and planning skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis.

Preferred

• Manufacturing or factory finance experience.
• Experience with inventory accounting and standard costing.
• Budgeting and forecasting experience.
• Knowledge of audit, compliance, and internal control processes.

#LI-MR1

Salary:$69,983.10 to$88,000.10 per year

Bonus Eligibility:Yes

Thepay rangeprovided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills and abilities as well as geographic location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at top of range.

Nestlé offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k with company match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position. Learn more at https://www.nestlejobs.com/nestle-in-the-us-benefits

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [e-mail] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.