Cost Analyst

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. is seeking a Cost Analyst in Bethlehem, PA to provide cost and inventory analysis supporting product costing and operational decisions.

The role analyzes standard and actual costs, BOMs, labor and overhead, and inventory activity, partnering with Finance, Operations, Purchasing, Engineering and Warehouse teams. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and 3+ years in cost or inventory analysis, strong Excel skills, and experience with ERP systems to drive

Qualifications

• Experience in cost and inventory analysis in manufacturing or supply chain.
• Experience with BOMs, routings, labor and overhead analysis.
• Knowledge of inventory controls, cycle counting, audits, and process improvement methods.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Epicor or similar) and advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Cost and Manufacturing Analysis: analyze standard vs actual costs and variances.
• Inventory Analysis and Controls: monitor inventory costing and reconcile ERP vs physical records.
• Financial and Process Support: support month-end close, audits, and cost reporting.
• Provide data-driven cost insights and recommendations to cross-functional teams.

Skills

Manufacturing environment

BOM analysis

Inventory controls

ERP systems (Epicor)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business, Supply Chain

Tools

Epicor ERP

SAP

Oracle

NetSuite

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

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Cost Analyst

Upper Management Full Time Professional Bethlehem, PA, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1048

Salary Range: $75,000.00 To $85,000.00 Annually

We are seeking an experienced Cost Analyst to provide cost and inventory analysis to support accurate product costing, improved inventory accuracy, stronger operational decision-making, and greater visibility into manufacturing performance. This role analyzes standard and actual costs, manufacturing and purchase variances, inventory activity, bills of materials, labor and overhead, and job or work order costs. The Cost Analyst partners with Finance, Operations, Purchasing, Engineering, and Warehouse teams to identify root causes, improve cost data, and recommend practical corrective actions. The position supports inventory-related close, reconciliation, reporting, and audit activities while Accounting retains responsibility for general ledger ownership and financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Cost and Manufacturing Analysis

• Analyze standard versus actual manufacturing costs and explain material, labor, overhead, usage, scrap, and other production variances.
• Analyze purchase price variances, material cost changes, and supplier-related cost trends in partnership with Purchasing and Finance.
• Review bills of materials (BOMs), routings, labor rates, overhead allocations, and other cost inputs for completeness, accuracy, and reasonableness.
• Analyze job, work order, product, customer, and project costs to identify cost drivers, unusual results, and margin improvement opportunities.
• Support the annual standard-cost-setting process and periodic cost updates by preparing data, validating assumptions, and documenting changes.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc cost reports, trend analyses, forecasts, dashboards, and management reporting to support business decisions.

Inventory Analysis and Controls

• Maintain and analyze inventory costing information within the ERP system, including raw materials, work in process, and finished goods.
• Monitor inventory valuation and analyze inventory transactions, adjustments, transfers, and other activity affecting inventory cost.
• Perform and support monthly inventory reconciliations between physical inventory, ERP records, and related financial records.
• Analyze excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory and provide supporting data for reserve and disposition decisions.
• Partner with Operations, Purchasing, Engineering, and Warehouse teams to improve inventory controls, transaction discipline, and costing accuracy.

Financial and Process Support

• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to inventory and manufacturing costs by preparing analyses, schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor inventory valuation and costing practices for consistency with company policies and applicable accounting standards, escalating accounting treatment questions to Finance leadership.
• Support internal and external audits by providing inventory, costing, reconciliation, and variance documentation.
• Identify and implement process improvements that strengthen data accuracy, reporting, inventory controls, and operational efficiency.
• Work across functions to translate cost findings into clear recommendations and track corrective actions or cost-reduction opportunities.
• Perform other cost, inventory, and financial analyses as assigned.

Qualifications

Preferred

• Experience in a manufacturing, engineered-to-order, distribution, or supply chain environment.
• Experience analyzing BOMs, routings, labor and overhead, work orders, or project-based manufacturing costs.
• Knowledge of inventory controls, cycle counting, physical inventory, audit procedures, and process improvement methods.
• Experience with Epicor or a similar manufacturing ERP system.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience in cost analysis, inventory analysis, cost accounting, manufacturing finance, or a related role.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, inventory valuation, and manufacturing cost concepts.
• Working knowledge of inventory valuation methods, including FIFO, LIFO, and weighted average cost.
• Experience using an ERP system such as Epicor, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, or a comparable platform.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, data validation, and analysis of large data sets.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and explain financial or cost information to non-financial stakeholders.