Cost Accountant

Join our Chicago Protective Apparel Team - A division of Mechanix Wear LLC!

ABOUT MECHANIX WEAR

Who We Are

Mechanix Wear develops protective gloves for industries including vehicle mechanics, police, military, trade professionals, and construction to name a few. Mechanix Wear is THE TOOL THAT FITS LIKE A GLOVE® In 1991, The Original® Glove was born. The brainchild of a legendary race mechanic that sparked a revolution for working hands. Championed by mechanics and pit crews at the 1991 Daytona 500, The Original® is the glove that started it all. For more information, visit www.mechanix.com.

What We Do

At Mechanix Wear, we are building a world where Safety is foundational, Performance is enhanced, and Trust in the brand is unshakable. We create and elevate protection beyond your expectations, through innovative design, advanced materials, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We stand behind our core values including Thinking Big, Being a Problem Solver, Doing Things the Right Way, and TeaMWork.

Join us in this exciting role where your expertise will directly impact our operational success! We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth—empowering you to thrive professionally while contributing meaningfully to our organization’s goals.

Chicago Protective Apparel (CPA)

Established in 1913, CPA is one of the oldest companies specializing in industrial safety gear in the United States . From its inception, the company has focused on designing and manufacturing high-performance protective garments for workers in extreme industrial environments, including welding, electrical work, and foundries. Over the decades, CPA built a reputation for reliability and durability, emphasizing safety and functionality in every product. Join our Skokie, Illinois Team!

POSITION SUMMARY

The Cost Accountant will be responsible for analyzing production costs, maintaining standard costing systems, and supporting manufacturing and operations teams with accurate financial data.

The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills and experience with cost accounting principles in a manufacturing or production environment, and will be comfortable working within established, traditional processes and systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential functions of the job are listed below. Other responsibilities may also be assigned.

Please note that the essential functions may vary depending on department size, organizational structure and/or geographic location. Reasonable accommodation may be made to allow differently-abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, and overhead
• Prepare monthly cost variance analysis and report findings to management
• Reconcile inventory accounts and perform periodic physical inventory counts
• Analyze production costs and recommend process improvements to reduce costs
• Prepare and post journal entries related to cost accounting activities
• Support month-end and year-end close processes
• Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and cost forecasts
• Monitor and analyze manufacturing variances (material, labor, overhead)
• Maintain the integrity of the bill of materials (BOM) and routing data in the ERP system
• Collaborate with operations, purchasing, and production teams to ensure accurate cost data.
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and analysis
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and process efficiencies
• Write clear, detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cost accounting processes and controls.
• Support management with financial, operational, and strategic analyses, including manufacturing optimization, cost-saving initiatives, purchasing challenges, and other special projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are the minimum qualifications that an individual needs in order to successfully

perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Please note that the minimum

qualifications may vary based upon the department size and/or geographic location.

EDUCATION

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.

EXPERIENCE

• 5 years of cost accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment
• Apparel manufacturing experience a plus, not required
• Comfortable working with traditional, hands-on accounting methods and legacy systems/processes (not solely reliant on the latest automation or software)
• Strong understanding of GAAP and cost accounting principles
• Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced Excel skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to write detailed, clear SOPs and process documentation
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to explain financial data to non-financial stakeholders.

Pay: $81,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $81,000 - $100,000