Senior Manager / Associate Director, Cost Accounting

Orcabiosystems; Edison (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pre-IPO equity

Annual bonus

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Parental leave benefits

Subsidized lunches and snacks

Job summary

Orcabiosystems is seeking a Senior Manager / Associate Director, Cost Accounting to lead activities related to product costing and inventory valuation within a biotech organization. This role involves overseeing cost-related controls and supports business scaling from clinical-stage through commercialization.

The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in cost accounting within biotech or pharmaceutical settings, and will be responsible for ensuring compliance with GAAP and maintaining cost accuracy. The position offers comprehensive benefits including equity and an annual bonus.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive cost accounting experience in manufacturing, biotech, or pharmaceutical environments.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.
• Experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, or biologics manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee standard costing, variance analysis, and cost allocations.
• Lead and review monthly close activities related to inventory and COGS.
• Support long‑range planning related to scale‑up and commercialization.

Skills

Cost accounting

Variance analysis

Inventory accounting

ERP systems (NetSuite)

Data analysis

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

The Senior Manager / Associate Director, Cost Accounting will lead cost accounting activities for manufacturing and operational functions within a biotechnology or pharmaceutical organization. The role involves overseeing product costing, inventory valuation, COGS reporting, and cost-related controls to support business scaling from clinical‑stage through commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Develop, own, and oversee standard costing, variance analysis, and cost allocations across manufacturing operations.
• Establish and maintain cost accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Lead and review monthly close activities related to inventory, COGS, and manufacturing variances.
• Support cost‑of‑goods‑sold (COGS) analysis for clinical and commercial products.
• Maintain accurate inventory valuation for raw materials, work‑in‑process, and finished goods.
• Account for complex manufacturing processes, including batch‑based and patient‑specific production.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and R&D to understand cost drivers and improve cost accuracy.
• Lead physical inventory counts and cycle‑count programs.
• Ensure proper capitalization and expensing of manufacturing‑related costs.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, SOX (if applicable), and internal controls.
• Assist with audit requests related to inventory, cost accounting, and manufacturing transactions.
• Support implementation and maintenance of ERP and cost accounting systems.
• Serve as primary point of contact for auditors on cost accounting and inventory‑related matters.
• Assist in manufacturing cost forecasts and annual budgets.
• Monitor actual costs versus budget and provide variance analysis.
• Support long‑range planning related to scale‑up, technology transfer, and commercialization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive cost accounting experience in manufacturing, biotech, or pharmaceutical environments.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.
• Experience working with ERP systems – NetSuite is highly desirable.
• Strong Excel skills and data analysis capabilities.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with manufacturing and operations teams.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, or biologics manufacturing.
• Knowledge of GMP manufacturing environments.
• CPA preferred but not required.
• Experience supporting clinical‑stage to commercial transition.

Benefits

The anticipated annual salary range is based on prior experience, education, and other factors, and may vary for remote positions. The role also offers pre‑IPO equity, an annual bonus, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, a 401(k) plan, life, accidental death, and disability coverage, parental leave benefits, and subsidized lunches and snacks at on‑site locations.

We are an equal opportunity employer.