Senior Cost Manager

Brooks; Chelmsford (MA); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision and Disability

401(k) Plan

Paid holidays for exempt employees

Flexible vacation

Job summary

Brooks Automation in the United States (Massachusetts) seeks a Senior Cost Manager to lead cost accounting for manufacturing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis. You will partner with Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, and Finance to drive accurate product costing and actionable insights.

The role includes standard cost rolls, maintenance, financial close support, internal controls, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Strong manufacturing cost accounting, inventory accounting, standard costing, variance analysis, and financial reporting.
• Understanding of income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow interactions with inventory and cost of goods sold.
• Experience using AI-enabled productivity tools to improve reporting and analysis.
• People management, supervisory, or team leadership experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with ERP systems (Oracle or similar).
• Knowledge of SOX, internal controls, and audit support practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the cost accounting function for manufacturing operations and ensure accurate inventory & product costs.
• Provide day-to-day coaching and review support to cost accounting team members.
• Support the annual standard cost roll process and post-roll analysis.
• Oversee standard cost maintenance, cost updates, and item cost reviews.
• Review cost structures for materials, labor, overhead, routing, BOM and related elements.
• Analyze manufacturing variance, margins, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities related to cost accounting and inventory.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

MBA, CPA, CMA or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Oracle ERP

Oracle Fusion Cost Management

Power BI

Adaptive

Job description

Brooks is a leading provider of automation solutions with over 40 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, offering precision robotics, integrated automation systems, and contamination control solutions that empower chip manufacturers worldwide. Our product portfolio includes a range of automation solutions, including robots, vacuum systems, and atmospheric robots for semiconductor manufacturing (www.brooks.com). Are you looking for a place where you can be part of a transformation? Join us at Brooks Automation and be a part of a dynamic organization that is shaping the future of technology.

Senior Cost Manager Job Description

The Senior Cost Manager is responsible for leading and managing the cost accounting function, including standard costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing variance analysis, cost reporting, controls support, and business partnership with Operations and Supply Chain. This role provides leadership in ensuring accurate product costing and inventory reporting, developing cost accounting processes, supporting financial close activities, and delivering actionable insights to improve manufacturing performance and business decision-making. The Costing Manager serves as a key finance partner to Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, and Finance leadership. The role is expected to manage cost accounting priorities, support team development, strengthen internal controls, and drive continuous improvement in reporting, analytics, and costing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the cost accounting function for manufacturing operations, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of inventory and product costs.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and review support to cost accounting team members.
• Support the annual standard cost roll process, including planning, validation, coordination, review, and post-roll analysis.
• Oversee standard cost maintenance, cost updates, item cost reviews, and product costing exceptions.
• Review cost structures for materials, labor, overhead, routings, bills of material, and related manufacturing cost elements.
• Support new product introductions, engineering changes, sourcing changes, and manufacturing changes through financial and cost impact analysis.
• Ensure product costing activities are aligned with company policy, and financial reporting requirements.

Manufacturing Variance and Cost Analysis

• Analyze and explain manufacturing performance, including material usage, labor, overhead, purchase price variance, and work order variance.
• Identify trends, risks, opportunities, and root causes of cost variances and provide actionable recommendations to management.
• Analyze the standard margin and gross margin performance across product lines to explain variances versus forecast.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to drive cost visibility, accountability, and corrective action.

Financial Close, Controls, and Compliance

• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities related to cost accounting and inventory.
• Review and approve journal entries, reclassifications, inventory reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Ensure cost accounting and inventory accounting activities comply with company policies and accounting standards.
• Support internal and external audit requests related to inventory, costing, standard costs, and manufacturing variances.
• Identify control gaps, recommend corrective actions, and support implementation of sustainable process improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Strong experience in manufacturing cost accounting, inventory accounting, standard costing, variance analysis, and financial reporting.
• Strong understanding of the interrelationship between the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, particularly as it relates to inventory, cost of goods sold, reserves, and manufacturing variances.
• Experience leveraging AI-enabled productivity tools such as Microsoft Copilot, advanced analytics platforms, or similar technologies to improve reporting efficiency, automate routine analysis, and support decision-making.
• People management, supervisory, or team leadership experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with ERP systems, such as Oracle or a similar enterprise platform.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, CPA, CMA, or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience with Oracle Fusion Cost Management, Inventory, Manufacturing, or related ERP modules.
• Experience with Adaptive, Power BI, or equivalent financial planning and analytics tools.
• Experience leading or supporting annual standard cost roll activities.
• Experience with PPV management, inventory reserves, work order variance analysis, and manufacturing performance reporting.
• Knowledge of SOX compliance, internal control frameworks, and audit support practices.
• Experience in semiconductor, industrial automation, electronics, high-tech, or complex manufacturing environments.

Compensation

Base Salary Range: $132,456.81 USD to $179,206.28 USD. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Exempt employees are provided company paid holidays
• Flexible Vacation to enjoy personal time off and incidental sickness

Your recruiter can share more with you during the hiring process.

Work Location & Flexibility

At Brooks, we aim to foster a collaborative and engaging environment while offering flexibility where possible. Work arrangements may include a mix of in-office and remote work, depending on the nature of the role and business needs. Specific expectations will be shared during the interview process.

Brooks is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and proudly serves as an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. Diversity enhances our innovative capabilities and strengthens our ability to serve our customers and communities effectively. At Brooks Automation, we celebrate the unique experiences and perspectives each individual brings, believing they are essential to our collective success.

For applicants with disabilities requiring accommodations, don't hesitate to get in touch with [e-mail] or call [phone] to discuss your needs. Review EEO Law & EEO Statement.

Brooks Automation participates in E-Verify to confirm eligibility for employment in the United States. For more details, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Since our founding in 1978, Brooks Automation has been a leading automation provider and trusted partner to the global manufacturing industry. Our customers choose the Brooks Automation platform because we consistently deliver best‑in‑class reliability and cost of ownership, with a solution that is optimized for value within their application. We deliver value through our understanding of the application challenge, providing solutions at scale that create an automated advantage for our customers. This benefits our customers with improved throughput and yield and a lower cost of ownership.