Cost Accounting Director

The ideal candidate is a highly strategic and influential leader with deep expertise in manufacturing cost accounting, financial analysis, operational finance, and global manufacturing environments. This individual will provide oversight of all cost-related activities across global operations, establish best-in-class costing methodologies, and deliver actionable insights that support executive decision-making and long-term business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Global Cost Strategy & Financial Leadership:
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive global cost management strategy aligned with the company's financial and operational objectives.
  • Drive margin expansion through cost reduction initiatives, productivity programs, and operational efficiencies across all manufacturing sites.
  • Serve as the global subject matter expert for manufacturing costs, profitability analysis, and cost optimization opportunities.
  • Partner with executive leadership to improve financial performance and support strategic business decisions.
• Manufacturing Cost Management
  • Lead the development, maintenance, and governance of standard costing methodologies across all manufacturing locations.
  • Oversee product costing, inventory valuation, overhead allocation, and cost accounting processes globally.
  • Monitor and analyze manufacturing variances, including material, labor, overhead, and production efficiencies.
  • Establish robust cost controls and reporting mechanisms to ensure accuracy, transparency, and accountability.
• Strategic Business Partnering
  • Collaborate closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, and Commercial teams to identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Support strategic initiatives including footprint optimization, plant expansions, capital investments, automation projects, and make-versus-buy analyses.
  • Provide financial leadership for major operational and supply chain transformation programs.
  • Influence pricing strategies through deep understanding of product cost structures and margin drivers.
• Global Governance & Standardization
  • Establish global policies, procedures, and best practices for cost management and reporting.
  • Drive consistency in financial metrics, costing methodologies, and performance measurement across regions.
  • Develop executive dashboards and KPIs to monitor cost performance and operational effectiveness.
  • Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting standards, and corporate governance requirements.
• Leadership & Talent Development
  • Lead and develop global teams of Cost Managers and Cost Accountants.
  • Build a high-performance enviroment focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.
  • Mentor finance leaders across regions and strengthen organizational capabilities in manufacturing finance and cost management.
  • Foster collaboration across diverse global teams.