Associate Cost Manager

Job Description

The Associate Cost Manager is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the standard cost system and supporting accurate financial reporting and operational decision making. This role evaluates product cost components, including scrap rates, labor rates, and machine rates, and recommends updates to bills of materials and routing structures as needed.

Key responsibilities include preparing cost estimates and quotes for new and existing product lines, as well as leading the month-end close process. This involves developing close schedules, preparing journal entries, performing account reconciliations, and delivering timely and accurate financial reports.

The role requires in-depth analysis of standard cost variances, including material price, usage, and labor efficiency. The Associate Cost Manager prepares monthly variance summaries and supports the development of forecasts and budgets. Additionally, the position ensures alignment between ERP perpetual inventory records and general ledger balances, contributing to inventory reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and valuation reserve analysis.

The Associate Cost Manager supports the annual standard cost update process, including inventory revaluation, and ensures inventory transactions comply with local statutory requirements, including local currency reporting.

This role provides leadership and oversight to the cost accounting team, including supervision, training, and performance management. It also delivers timely and accurate costing and inventory insights to operations teams to support continuous improvement initiatives.

Additional responsibilities include partnering with operations to identify excess and obsolete inventory, auditing cycle count processes to ensure accuracy, and supporting Finance and Operations leadership with ad hoc analysis and special projects.

Required Work Experience:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in cost accounting, manufacturing finance, or related roles within a production or industrial environment
• Thorough working knowledge of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish
• Proven experience managing standard cost systems, including cost updates, variance analysis, and inventory valuation
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, BPCS, or similar) and strong understanding of inventory controls and processes
• Demonstrated ability to lead or supervise accounting teams and manage month-end close activities
• Experience preparing financial reports, forecasts, and budgets, with a focus on costing and inventory
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret cost data and provide actionable insights to operations and finance leadership
• Experience partnering with cross-functional stakeholders, including operations, supply chain, and finance teams

Preferred (Plus) Qualifications:

• Prior experience with a Big Four accounting firm (Deloitte, PwC, EY, or KPMG), partiularly in audit or advisory roles supporting manufacturing clients
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation
• MBA or other advanced degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field

Cardinal Health supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. Cardinal Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

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