Senior Plant Cost Manager

Sherpa | Recruiting, Staffing & Consulting; Charleston (IL); On-site; USD 122,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherpa | Recruiting, Staffing & Consulting in the United States is seeking a Senior Plant Cost Manager to drive cost analysis and financial insights across production lines. You will partner with plant leadership, Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to translate data into actionable business decisions.

The role emphasizes hands-on cost accounting, standard vs. actual costing, inventory valuation, and continuous improvement to influence profitability and operations.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years in cost accounting, plant finance, controlling, or manufacturing analysis.
• Strong costing knowledge and variance analysis capabilities.
• Ability to link financial results to shop-floor activity.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant cost reporting and analyze fixed and variable costs across production lines.
• Analyze financial and operational data, explain variances, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, pricing, tenders, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to identify cost drivers.
• Manage product costing, including standard vs. actual cost analysis.
• Support accurate inventory valuation and reconciliation across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Maintain accurate cost data in the ERP system and improve reporting and analysis.

Skills

Cost accounting

Variance analysis

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Manufacturing analysis

Education

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

Tools

Excel

SAP

Job description

Compensation: To $135K.

Job Overview – Senior Plant Cost Manager – 34443

Our client is seeking a Senior Plant Cost Manager to provide financial and operational insight that supports plant performance and profitability. This role will partner closely with plant leadership, Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to analyze costs, inventory, productivity, and operational performance.

Compensation: To $135K.

Job Overview – Senior Plant Cost Manager – 34443

Our client is seeking a Senior Plant Cost Manager to provide financial and operational insight that supports plant performance and profitability. This role will partner closely with plant leadership, Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to analyze costs, inventory, productivity, and operational performance.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on finance professional with strong manufacturing and cost accounting experience who can connect financial results to shop-floor activity and translate data into clear business recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead plant cost reporting and analyze fixed and variable costs across production lines
• Analyze financial and operational data, explain variances, and provide actionable recommendations
• Support budgeting, forecasting, pricing, tenders, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to identify cost drivers related to materials, labor, efficiency, scrap, and overhead
• Manage product costing, including standard vs. actual cost analysis
• Support accurate inventory valuation and reconciliation across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods
• Maintain accurate cost data in the ERP system and identify opportunities to improve cost reporting and analysis

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of 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 to manufacturing operations and drive actionable business decisions
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills; ERP experience required, SAP a plus
• Strong communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills

Why This Opportunity

• High-visibility role with direct interaction with plant and regional leadership
• Opportunity to directly influence cost, productivity, inventory, and business performance
• Strong combination of finance, manufacturing, and continuous improvement
• Opportunity for continued growth in scope and responsibility

Additional Job Details

Seniority Level: Mid-Senior Level

About Our Process

• We will notify you if you are selected as a candidate for this role. If not, but you fit our specializations, we’ll consider you for future openings.
• Sherpa is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Candidates for all Sherpa opportunities must be authorized to work in the United States.