Cost Analyst

Gulfcon, Inc.; Port Neches (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulfcon, Inc. seeks a Cost Analyst to support Maintenance and Turnaround finance on-site. You will forecast costs, assist month-end close, analyze variances, and manage contractor and material expenses to drive better financial decisions. Collaboration with planners and managers ensures accurate reporting.

The role requires SAP expertise, strong Excel and BI/dashboard skills, and experience in industrial environments. Candidates pass background and drug screens as part of the process.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in cost control, accounting, financial analysis, project controls, or related discipline. Experience in refining, petrochemical, manufacturing, or industrial environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and month-end close processes.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required.
• SAP experience required.
• Experience with contractor workforce and timekeeping systems, such as ATOM, preferred
• Power BI, dashboard development, and AI reporting/analytics experience preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain cost reports, dashboards, scorecards, and financial summaries for client’s Maintenance and Turnaround leadership.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities including accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Analyze Actual vs Budget vs Forecast performance, identify cost drivers and trends, and provide recommendations to improve cost performance.
• Develop and maintain department forecasts, cost tracking tools, and reporting systems.
• Monitor contractor, labor, material, equipment, and service costs against approved budgets.
• Utilize SAP to track commitments, purchase orders, invoices, service entry sheets, and budget performance.
• Collaborate with planners, coordinators, timekeepers, leads, managers, contractors, suppliers, and support organizations to ensure accurate cost reporting and forecasting.
• Develop and maintain Excel, Power BI, and AI-enabled reporting tools to improve visibility, efficiency, and decision-making.
• Maintain financial models and tracking tools to monitor cost allocations across project elements.
• Review and process contractor/vendor invoices and track payment status to ensure alignment with contractual and financial requirements.
• Support project funding authorization, requisition management, and expenditure tracking as needed.

Skills

Cost control

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Month-end close

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem-solving

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

SAP

Excel

Power BI

ATOM

Job description

We are seeking a responsible and professional Cost Analyst for a local industrial client.This individual will be working at the client’s site and will serve as the primary financial support resource for the client’s Maintenance and Turnaround organizations by providing cost forecasting, month-end close support, cost control, variance analysis, contractor cost management, department financial reporting, and actionable recommendations to improve financial performance and operational decision-making.

Candidates must be able to pass a graded background screen and pre-employment drug & alcohol screen.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare and maintain cost reports, dashboards, scorecards, and financial summaries for client’s Maintenance and Turnaround leadership.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities including accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Analyze Actual vs Budget vs Forecast performance, identify cost drivers and trends, and provide recommendations to improve cost performance.
• Develop and maintain department forecasts, cost tracking tools, and reporting systems.
• Monitor contractor, labor, material, equipment, and service costs against approved budgets.
• Utilize SAP to track commitments, purchase orders, invoices, service entry sheets, and budget performance.
• Collaborate with planners, coordinators, timekeepers, leads, managers, contractors, suppliers, and support organizations to ensure accurate cost reporting and forecasting.
• Develop and maintain Excel, Power BI, and AI-enabled reporting tools to improve visibility, efficiency, and decision-making.
• Maintain financial models and tracking tools to monitor cost allocations across project elements.
• Review and process contractor/vendor invoices and track payment status to ensure alignment with contractual and financial requirements.
• Support project funding authorization, requisition management, and expenditure tracking as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in cost control, accounting, financial analysis, project controls, or related discipline. Experience in refining, petrochemical, manufacturing, or industrial environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and month-end close processes.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required.
• SAP experience required.
• Experience with contractor workforce and timekeeping systems, such as ATOM, preferred
• Power BI, dashboard development, and AI reporting/analytics experience preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with all levels of the organization.