Plant Cost Analyst - Cost, Inventory & Efficiency

TalentBridge; Charleston (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability

401(k)

Holiday pay

Job summary

TalentBridge is seeking a Cost Accounting / Plant Finance Analyst to support plant management with financial data, focusing on cost control, inventory valuation, and variance analysis. You will translate financial results into actionable recommendations and partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to drive cost improvements and informed business decisions.

This role offers high visibility with plant leadership and the chance to influence cost, productivity, and continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in cost accounting, plant finance, controlling, or manufacturing analysis
• Strong understanding of product costing, inventory accounting, standard costs, and variance analysis
• Ability to connect financial results with manufacturing activity and translate analysis into practical business actions
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills
• Experience with an ERP system required; SAP experience is a plus
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams
• Organized, detail‑oriented, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment

Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze plant cost reporting, including fixed and variable costs by production area
• Translate financial and operational data into clear insights, recommendations, and action items
• Support budgeting, forecasting, continuous improvement initiatives, pricing, and commercial decisions
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to understand material usage, labor, production efficiency, scrap, and overhead variances
• Calculate, validate, analyze, and report product costs, including standard versus actual cost performance
• Support accurate inventory valuation and reconciliation across raw materials, work in process, and finished goods
• Maintain cost data within the ERP system and help ensure product costs are complete and accurate
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate cost reporting and analysis

Skills

3+ years of cost accounting experience

Excel data analysis

ERP systems experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Cost accounting analysis

Education

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

Tools

ERP system

SAP

Job description

TalentBridge is seeking a Cost Accounting / Plant Finance Analyst to support plant management with financial data, focusing on cost control, inventory valuation, and variance analysis. You will translate financial results into actionable recommendations and partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to drive cost improvements and informed business decisions.

This role offers high visibility with plant leadership and the chance to influence cost, productivity, and continuous