Plant Cost & Productivity Analyst

Employee Relations Associates, Inc.; Charleston (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Holiday pay

Job summary

Employee Relations Associates, Inc. seeks a Cost Accounting / Plant Finance Analyst to partner with plant leadership and finance teams to optimize costs, inventory, and profitability.

You will translate cost data into actionable insights and support standard costing, variance analysis, and ERP-driven reporting. You will collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to understand material usage, labor and overhead variances, and ensure accurate cost data across raw materials, WIP,

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; 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.

Education

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

Tools

SAP

ERP system

Job description

Employee Relations Associates, Inc. seeks a Cost Accounting / Plant Finance Analyst to partner with plant leadership and finance teams to optimize costs, inventory, and profitability.

You will translate cost data into actionable insights and support standard costing, variance analysis, and ERP-driven reporting. You will collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to understand material usage, labor and overhead variances, and ensure accurate cost data across raw materials, WIP,