Cost Analyst

Henderson Products, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglas Dynamics in Milwaukee, WI, is seeking a Cost Analyst to own cost accounting for engineered-to-order manufacturing. You will maintain job costing, standard costs, and conduct variance analysis to drive accurate quoting and margin visibility.

You will partner with estimating, engineering, and operations, perform monthly inventory reconciliations, support month-end close, and help upgrade ERP costing modules. A degree in accounting/finance and 3–6 years of cost accounting is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance or related field.
• 3–6 years of cost accounting or manufacturing accounting experience, ideally in an job-shop or ETO environment.
• Experience with ERP systems supporting job costing and inventory management (Epicor experience a plus).
• CMA or CPA a plus.
• Strong analytical and communication skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Own cost accounting for engineered-to-order manufacturing operations.
• Maintain and update job costing and standard cost records.
• Perform monthly inventory reconciliation and support accurate inventory and COGS reporting.
• Analyze and report on job-level cost variances vs quoted/estimated costs; document root causes.
• Partner with estimating and engineering to refine standard costs, labor routings, and overhead rates.
• Support month-end close activities related to cost accounting (journal entries, accruals, reconciliations).
• Maintain the standard cost system (BOMs, routings, overhead rates) and coordinate periodic updates.
• Provide ad hoc cost analysis to support quoting, make-vs-buy decisions, and margin reviews for management.

Skills

Cost accounting

Variance analysis

Inventory reconciliation

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

Epicor ERP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

WHO WE ARE:

Douglas Dynamics is North America's premier manufacturer and up-fitter of work truck attachments and equipment. Our belief is that our employees and culture are just as important to the company as serving our customers. We place a high value on building a team and working environment where individuals can succeed professionally and personally. As a team member at Douglas Dynamics, you can expect to make a difference through your work, to have a direct impact on the achievement of a very meaningful mission to serve our customers, to advance your career, and to have room for fun and fulfillment in your daily life.

We would love to have you join our team, where we offer top notch benefits, multiple avenues for advancement and a great working environment.

HOW WE DO IT: Grow, Improve, and Engage

is our focus as an organization to ensure we succeed by executing the right things. These are our Core Values and are How We Win in the marketplace. The Winning Behaviors are what each Douglas Dynamics employee does to support the success of our company. They are the expectations of all of us to help ensure we focus on winning as an organization the right way! Our Winning Behaviors are:

• Be Customer & Results Driven
• Anticipate the Possibilities
• Collaborate & Care
• Communicate Responsibly
• Develop Self & Others
• Get Better Every Day

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE:

The Cost Analyst is responsible for owning cost accounting for our engineered-to-order (ETO) manufacturing operations, including job costing, standard cost maintenance, variance analysis, and inventory valuation. This position requires strong analytical skills along with an in-depth understanding of job-order costing and manufacturing accounting practices. Reporting to the Controller, this role partners closely with estimating, engineering, and operations to ensure the cost data driving quoting, margin visibility, and management reporting is accurate and timely. Strong analytical and communication skills are critical in this role to translate detailed cost data into insight the business can act on.

• Lead by example and promote Winning Behaviors across all teams.
• Maintain and update job costing and standard cost records.
• Perform monthly inventory reconciliation and support accurate inventory and cost-of-goods-sold reporting.
• Analyze and report on job-level cost variances (material, labor, overhead) versus quoted/estimated cost; investigate and document root causes.
• Partner with estimating and engineering to refine standard costs, labor routings, and overhead rates based on actual job experience.
• Support month-end close activities related to cost accounting, including journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
• Maintain the standard cost system (BOMs, routings, overhead rates) and coordinate periodic standard cost updates.
• Provide ad hoc cost analysis to support quoting, make-vs-buy decisions, & margin reviews for management.
• Serve as a key support contact for annual physical inventory and external audit requests related to cost accounting and inventory valuation.
• Support cost-related workstreams of the ERP upgrade (e.g., validating costing data conversion, testing job costing and WIP functionality).
• Assist in process improvement of finance functions.

What This Role Needs

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
• 3-6 years of cost accounting or manufacturing accounting experience, ideally in a job-shop, custom, or ETO environment
• Ability to work independently on job costing, variance analysis, and inventory reconciliation with minimal supervision
• Experience with ERP systems supporting job costing and inventory management (Epicor experience a plus)
• CMA or CPA a plus
• Working knowledge of standard costing, BOMs, routings, and overhead allocation
• Results-driven mindset, focused on delivering accurate, timely cost data to support quoting and margin decisions.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze problems; categorize & simplify complex issues to deliver incremental improvement.
• Accuracy and detail focused.
• Team oriented, working with other employees across the company to effectively accomplish daily tasks
• Strong analytical and communication skills to partner with estimating, engineering, and operations
• Competent computer skills with ERP systems, Microsoft Excel, and other technical resources as require

Our focus on integrity, teamwork, and high performance creates an ideal work environment for every one of our employees. We offer competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Discover our opportunities and come see all the ways you can do more at Douglas Dynamics.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Douglas Dynamics, LLC does not discriminate against qualified applicants in hiring based on race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.