Manufacturing Cost Accounting Manager

Palermo's Pizza; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free pizzas

Salary incentive

Medical insurance

401(k) match

PTO & holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Career growth

Job summary

Palermo's Pizza in Milwaukee, WI is seeking a Manufacturing Cost Accounting Manager to lead cost accounting for our manufacturing operations. You will partner with Operations and Supply Chain to translate cost data into actionable business recommendations and drive profitability.

Reporting to the Operations Controller, you’ll develop KPIs, oversee inventory valuation, standard costing, and variance analysis, and coach a Cost Accounting team across the Canal Street facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of progressive accounting or finance experience within a manufacturing environment, including leadership or supervisory experience.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems, preferably Oracle.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing cost accounting processes including product costing, standard costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis.
• Analyze cost drivers and manufacturing performance to identify trends, risks, and savings opportunities.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to improve inventory accuracy and strengthen financial controls.
• Develop KPIs, dashboards, and financial models to provide visibility into manufacturing performance.
• Support month-end/year-end activities, budgeting, forecasting, audits, and other financial planning processes.
• Improve costing methodologies, reporting processes, and financial systems through automation and continuous improvement.
• Lead and develop the Cost Accounting team and build cross-functional relationships.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Leadership

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Oracle ERP

Job description

Are you ready to turn manufacturing numbers into better business decisions?

• Do you enjoy digging into manufacturing costs and performance to understand what's really driving the numbers?
• Are you energized by partnering with Operations to identify opportunities that improve profitability and performance?
• Do you want to lead a team while still being close enough to the work to turn financial data into actionable business insights?

If so, Palermo's Pizza has an exciting opportunity for you.

Who You’ll Work For…

At Palermo's, we're passionate about making great pizza, investing in our people, and continuously improving how we operate. As a family-owned company and one of the nation's leading frozen pizza manufacturers, we combine a strong entrepreneurial spirit with the scale and complexity of a growing manufacturing organization.

As our Manufacturing Cost Accounting Manager, you'll be part of the Finance team and work closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, and other business partners. Reporting to the Operations Controller, you'll play an important role in connecting financial performance with what is happening on the manufacturing floor and helping leaders make better, faster business decisions.

Perks…

• 20 free pizzas per month!
• Competitive salary and annual incentive opportunity
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and floating holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• Career growth within a growing, family-owned organization

Where you’ll work…

This position is based at our Canal Street facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

This is a highly collaborative role that works across both Finance and manufacturing operations. You'll spend time partnering with leaders throughout the business to understand what's behind the numbers, identify opportunities, and translate financial information into practical recommendations.

What You’ll Do…

As the Manufacturing Cost Accounting Manager, you'll lead Palermo's manufacturing cost accounting processes while providing the financial analysis and business partnership that help improve operational and financial performance.

You'll

• Lead product costing, standard costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing variance analysis, and related financial reporting.
• Analyze cost drivers and manufacturing performance to identify trends, risks, savings opportunities, and opportunities to improve profitability.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to improve inventory accuracy, manage reserves and SLOB inventory, and strengthen financial controls.
• Develop KPIs, dashboards, financial models, and analyses that give leaders greater visibility into manufacturing performance.
• Support month‑end and year‑end activities, budgeting, forecasting, audits, and other financial planning processes.
• Improve costing methodologies, reporting processes, financial systems, and controls through automation, technology, and continuous improvement.
• Partner across Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, and Finance to turn financial information into actionable business recommendations.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Cost Accounting team while building accountability, capability, and strong cross‑functional relationships.

Why you’ll be successful…

You'll be successful because you don't see manufacturing accounting as simply reporting what happened. You want to understand why it happened and what the business should do next.

You combine strong financial and analytical skills with curiosity about the operation itself. You're comfortable challenging assumptions, explaining complex financial information in practical terms, and partnering with leaders outside of Finance to improve results.

You Thrive When You Can

• Dig into manufacturing performance and uncover what's driving cost and profitability.
• Turn data into clear recommendations leaders can act on.
• Build strong relationships with Operations while maintaining financial discipline.
• Improve processes and use technology, including AI and business intelligence tools, to work smarter.
• Develop people while remaining close to the business and the work.

What You’ll Bring…

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of progressive accounting or finance experience within a manufacturing environment, including leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of standard costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing finance, budgeting, and variance analysis.
• Experience partnering with manufacturing operations to improve financial and operational performance.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems, preferably Oracle.

Preferred Qualifications

• CMA or CPA certification.
• Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) or food manufacturing experience.
• Experience with Oracle, Power BI or other business intelligence tools, and financial systems/process improvement.
• Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement experience.