Plant Finance Partner: Cost Analysis & Optimization

Marzetti Company; Kentucky; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Marzetti Company is seeking a Senior Cost Analyst to partner with plant Value Streams and Operations leadership in Kentucky. You will deliver financial analysis, cost management, forecasting, and decision support to drive improved performance on the production floor.

You will own materials usage variance, BOM, and ABC processes, support annual planning and month-end close, and collaborate across Operations, Corporate Accounting, and Supply Chain to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field required.
• Relevant experience in finance, accounting, cost accounting, or financial analysis; manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate financial and operational data into actionable business insights.
• Strong communication and business-partnering skills with the ability to work effectively across functions and organizational levels.
• Knowledge of manufacturing costing, financial planning, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP and financial reporting systems.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and maintain an active presence on the production floor.
• Demonstrated leadership potential and interest in continued growth within plant Finance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Finance Business Partner to assigned Value Streams, including regular production floor engagement, spend reviews, forecasting, financial analysis, and decision support.
• Partner with Value Stream leaders to identify and drive cost improvement opportunities from ideation through implementation and savings tracking.
• Improve financial awareness within the Value Streams by communicating financial results, variances, cost drivers, risks, and opportunities to operational leaders.
• Lead the plant Material Usage Variance (MUV) process, partnering cross-functionally to identify and stratify losses, determine root causes, develop corrective actions, and track results.
• Own site Bill of Materials (BOM) and Activity-Based Costing (ABC) processes for new and existing items, including standards, scrap rates, and Value Stream/work center activities. Establish regular reviews to ensure costing accuracy.
• Prepare and support financial forecasts and assist with development of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP), including Value Stream spending.

Skills

Financial analysis

Cross-functional partnering

Excel

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Education

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

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Financial reporting systems

Job description

The Marzetti Company is seeking a Senior Cost Analyst to partner with plant Value Streams and Operations leadership in Kentucky. You will deliver financial analysis, cost management, forecasting, and decision support to drive improved performance on the production floor.

You will own materials usage variance, BOM, and ABC processes, support annual planning and month-end close, and collaborate across Operations, Corporate Accounting, and Supply Chain to drive continuous improvement.