Cost Analyst

Balchem; Montvale (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Balchem is seeking a Cost Analyst to support cost accounting, financial close, inventory accounting, and reporting across manufacturing locations. The role emphasizes analytical thinking, problem-solving, and a continuous improvement mindset.

The ideal candidate will assist with monthly closes, standard costing, variance analysis, and operational decision support within a fast-paced environment. This position reports to the Supply Chain Finance team and offers growth in manufacturing finance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 1–3 years of accounting, finance, or cost accounting experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Strong Excel skills; Power BI and ERP experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Analyze supply chain impact on P&L, balance sheet, and key metrics.
• Assist monthly close activities and SOX documentation for designated locations.
• Prepare and enter journal entries with supporting documentation.
• Support budgeting and forecasting related to manufacturing operations and plant expenditures.
• Assist with annual standard cost updates and new product cost estimates.
• Analyze monthly variances (PPV, material usage, labor, efficiency) and report findings.
• Prepare reconciliations and expense analyses as needed.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, and operations to support decisions.
• Prepare monthly financial reporting packages and participate in reviews.
• Support physical inventory counts and cycle counting programs.
• Provide audit support and documentation for reviews and audits.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives for automation and reporting.

Skills

Excel

Power BI

ERP systems

Analytical

Communication

Organization

Manufacturing experience

Cost accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Power BI

ERP systems

Job description

If you are passionate about delivering excellence, and think you are a great fit with our organization, we'd love to hear from you.

For any jobs listed below without a specific city and/or state, they are considered REMOTE opportunities.

Balchem Corporation, and its subsidiaries, offers a competitive salary and benefits package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Balchem is committed to making the world a healthier place by delivering trusted, innovative, and science-based solutions for the health and nutritional needs of the world. Balchem employs approximately 1,400 employees worldwide who provide the service, quality, and technology that enables our customers to win with their customers. We have built a reputation for delivering results to all of our stakeholders. Founded in 1967, Balchem, a Maryland corporation, became a publicly-traded company in 1970 and is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol "BCPC." Our corporate headquarters is located in Montvale, New Jersey, and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the U.S. and Europe. The Company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, and Specialty Products.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Balchem is seeking a Cost Analyst to join the Supply Chain Finance team. This role will support cost accounting, financial close activities, inventory accounting, financial reporting, and operational analysis across manufacturing locations. Responsibilities include assisting with monthly close activities, balance sheet reconciliations, standard costing processes, variance analysis, and supporting operational and financial decision-making.

The ideal candidate is highly analytical, detail-oriented, and motivated to learn within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This individual will demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, effective communication abilities, and a continuous improvement mindset, leveraging technology and automation to enhance reporting and analysis processes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Support analysis of Supply Chain impacts on the P&L, Balance Sheet, and key financial metrics.
• Assist with monthly financial close activities for designated manufacturing locations, including preparation of SOX documentation and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare and enter journal entries with appropriate supporting documentation
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting activities related to manufacturing operations and plant expenditures
• Assist with annual standard cost updates and new product cost estimates.
• Analyze monthly manufacturing variances, including Purchase Price Variance (PPV), Material Usage Variance, Labor and Efficiency Variances, and communicate findings to finance and operations teams
• Prepare account reconciliations and expense analyses as needed
• Partner with manufacturing, supply chain, and operations personnel to understand business drivers and support decision-making.
• Assist in preparing monthly financial reporting packages and participate in operational review meetings.
• Support physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• Provide audit support and documentation for quarterly reviews and annual external audits.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives focused on reporting accuracy, automation, and operational efficiency.
• Perform ad-hoc financial analyses and special projects as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 1-3 years of accounting, finance, or cost accounting experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment
• Exposure to standard costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing variances, budgeting, and forecasting is preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills; experience with Power BI is a plus
• Experience with ERP systems; manufacturing ERP experience preferred
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to partner effectively across functions
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing locations and/or international manufacturing operations is a plus.
• Knowledge of intercompany inventory transactions, transfer pricing concepts, and intercompany costing/accounting processes is a plus.

The expected salary range for this role is $60,000 -$75,000 a year.

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Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.