Cost Accounting Lead in Newry

The Lead Cost Accountant is responsible for end-to-end cost accounting, inventory control, and operational financial reporting across multiple business units, with direct support for Performance Parts manufacturing (sheet metal) and distribution (warehouse operations). This role serves as a strategic finance partner to operations, providing insight into cost drivers, labor productivity, and margin performance. The position blends technical cost accounting expertise with ownership of inventory processes, multi-entity P&L consolidation, and leadership of billing and transactional accounting staff.

Responsibilities

• Cost Accounting & Analysis
  • Maintain and update standard costs for labor, materials, and overhead within the ERP system (Oracle EBS preferred).
  • Analyze and explain key variances, including labor, overhead, purchase price, and usage.
  • Support cost rollups and ensure accuracy of frozen standard costs.
  • Provide ongoing analysis of cost drivers and margin performance.
• Inventory Management & Control
  • Own inventory accuracy, valuation, and reporting across sheet metal manufacturing and parts warehouse operations (including picking and distribution).
  • Lead physical inventory counts and cycle count programs across manufacturing and warehouse locations.
  • Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies in partnership with operations.
  • Strengthen inventory controls, processes, and data integrity across both manufacturing and distribution environments.
• Operations Finance & Margin Support
  • Partner with manufacturing and warehouse operations to analyze labor productivity, picking efficiency, and labor-to-sales ratios.
  • Provide visibility into cost drivers across production and distribution workflows.
  • Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and cost structure.
  • Serve as a primary financial liaison between accounting and operations teams.
• Revenue & P&L Reporting
  • Manage and support revenue accruals and related financial entries.
  • Consolidate and report financial results across multiple P&Ls/business units.
  • Provide clear, actionable reporting on margins, cost trends, and financial performance.
  • Support leadership with insights to drive informed business decisions.
• Team Leadership & Oversight
  • Supervise billing clerks and transactional accounting staff.
  • Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistency in billing processes.
  • Provide coaching, performance direction, and oversight of daily activities.
  • Drive process improvements and strengthen internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5–10+ years of experience in cost accounting, inventory accounting, or operations finance.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory controls.
• Experience supporting multiple business units or P&Ls.
• Ability to effectively partner with operations and communicate financial information clearly.
• Prior experience leading or supervising staff.

Preferred

• Experience with Oracle EBS or similar ERP system.
• Experience in both manufacturing and distribution environments.
• Exposure to union labor environments and labor cost modeling.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate financial data into operational insights.
• Proactive, ownership-oriented mindset.
• Effective communication with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Leadership and team development capabilities.

What Success Looks Like

• Inventory is accurate, controlled, and consistently well-managed.
• Cost variances are clearly identified, explained, and proactively addressed.
• Operations views finance as a trusted partner in decision-making.
• Billing processes are efficient, accurate, and scalable.
• Leadership receives clear, concise, and actionable financial reporting.
• The role demonstrates strong ownership and continuous improvement.

Benefits & Perks – What’s In It For You

• Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Hussmann Retirement Savings & Investment Plan – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits – Paid time off, stewardship and parental leave.
• Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs – EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, and tobacco cessation.

Hussmann is proudly committed to creating an inclusive environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to veteran status, disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetics, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.