Associate Cost Analyst | Youtheory

Role Summary

The Associate Cost Analyst is responsible for assisting with the development and maintenance of accurate product and standard costs, supporting month-end close activities and reconciling inventory across systems. This role will support with cost roll-ups, variance analysis (PPV, labor/overhead, yield, inventory) and cycle count.

Key Responsibilities

Product Costing & Standards (35%)

• Support and maintain standard costs for new and existing SKUs, including BOMs, routings, labor, and overhead rates.
• Work with Sr. Financial Analyst, Project Management, PD and other departments to gather data and cost out new Products for Potential Launches.
• Maintain cost version control and documentation for audit readiness.

Month-End Close & Variance Analysis (30%)

• Prepare and post WIP, FG, and scrap journal entries; reconcile subledger to GL.
• Analyze purchase price variance (PPV), labor & overhead absorption, manufacturing variances, inventory valuation and inventory reserves (excess & obsolescence).
• Prepare monthly inventory roll forward and COGS analysis; explain drivers vs. plan/forecast.
• Support internal/external audits with schedules and reconciliations.

Inventory Control & Cycle Counts (20%)

• Administer the cycle count program (ABC classification, frequency, compliance tracking).
• Investigate count discrepancies; prepare and post inventory adjustments in ERP with appropriate approvals.
• Partner with Warehouse/Production & Master Data to improve inventory accuracy, SKU master data, and transaction discipline (issues, receipts, transfers, scrap).

Operations & Cross-Functional Support (15%)

• Maintain dashboards/scorecards for material usage, scrap, labor efficiency, and throughput send on a weekly basis.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, nested formulas).

Core Competencies

• Analytical Rigor: Quickly diagnoses variances and translates findings into actionable insights.
• Detail Orientation: High accuracy in cost builds, adjustments, and reconciliations.
• Business Partnering: Communicates clearly with Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Systems & Data: Comfortable navigating ERPs, large data sets, and building repeatable models.
• Ownership & Urgency: Meets close deadlines and manages multiple priorities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Cycle count accuracy % and coverage compliance.
• Month-end close timeliness and number of post-close adjustments.
• Inventory reconciliation completeness and aging of unreconciled items.
• PPV / usage variance explanations delivered on time with actionable root causes.
• On-time, error-free cost roll-ups and new item cost activation.
• Documented savings from cost/operations initiatives.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary, including discretionary performance-bases bonuses
• Health Benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Matching
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Vacation Time
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Learning & Development
• Work/Life Balance
• Fun Company Events

Our Values

ACCOUNTABILITY: We do what we say. We take personal ownership for our work and actions and its impact on others and the business.

RESPECT: We do it together authentically and inclusively. We actively listen and engage each other, including diverse perspectives.

EXCELLENCE: We drive to high standard for product, people and planet. We challenge the status quo and bring forward innovative ideas in the continuous pursuit of quality.

AGILITY: We embrace change and act with flexibility. We welcome new ideas and feedback, swiftly incorporating them to improve our performance.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.