Sr. Cost Accountant at Kaidi Global in Grand Haven, MI, USA

Job description

• Do you want to...
• Play a key role in starting up a manufacturing plant by keeping our manufacturing costs accurate and our inventory solid?
• Dig into cost drivers, explain variances, and help shape smarter financial decisions?
• Own key parts of month end close and deliver clear, reliable cost reporting?
• Partner with production and engineering to boost accuracy and efficiency across the plant?
• We are seeking a focused and dedicated Sr. Cost Accountant with experience in manufacturing to join our growing team. You'll be responsible for tracking, analyzing and reporting manufacturing costs to ensure inventory integrity, margin visibility, and effective cost control. This role partners closely with operations, production, purchasing, and engineering to support financial accuracy, improve manufacturing efficiency, and drive data driven decision making across the organization.
• If you thrive when working closely with multiple teams to increase accuracy and improve profitability, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate cost records for raw materials, WIP, and finished goods
• Ensure correct inventory valuation in accordance with US GAAP and China GAAP
• Perform inventory reconciliations and investigate quantity or cost variances
• Monitor obsolete, excess, and slow moving inventory and report findings to leadership
• Support and validate physical inventory processes
• Analyze labor, material, and overhead costs by job, product, and production run
• Prepare and explain purchase price variance, usage variance, and efficiency variance
• Perform monthly gross margin analysis and identify drivers of margin fluctuation
• Support standard cost reviews and updates, including BOM accuracy
• Provide cost insights to support pricing
• Prepare cost related journal entries and reconciliations
• Support month end close for inventory, cost of goods sold, and manufacturing overhead
• Produce recurring cost and inventory reports for management
• Support external audits by providing cost and inventory documentation
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• 5+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with inventory, WIP, and standard or job costing preferred
• Strong understanding of cost accounting and manufacturing finance principles
• Advanced Excel skills required
• Experience with ERP accounting systems, SAP preferred
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail with the ability to meet deadlines
• Bilingual Mandarin Chinese / English is highly preferred
• Experience in steel furniture manufacturing is a plus
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Team player with demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals at various organizational levels internally and externally
• Self-directed individual with the ability to handle multiple projects concurrently

Skills

Required

• Advanced Excel
• Cost accounting
• Manufacturing finance principles
• Inventory management
• Analytical skills
• Organizational skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail
• Team player
• Self-directed

Preferred

• ERP accounting systems (SAP)
• Bilingual Mandarin Chinese / English
• Steel furniture manufacturing experience

Benefits

• Opportunity to make a real impact on the success of the operation
• Be part of a team that values innovation, efficiency, and craftsmanship
• Opportunities for growth, learning, and leadership in a dynamic manufacturing environment
• Competitive pay and benefits including medical/dental/vision
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation and sick time
• IRA with matching $
• $75,000 - $90,000 per year