
Lead Cost Accountant
- Lexington, KY
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Bachelor s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 3 7 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing or operations-driven environment
- Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and cost flows
- Hands-on experience with ERP systems; advanced Excel skills required
- Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail and business acumen
- Self-starter with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Experience with product costing in a multi-site environment
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing, KPI tracking, and process improvement initiatives
- Partner with Operations and Supply Chain teams to analyze, monitor, and explain all cost components (material, labor, overhead, freight, scrap, etc.).
- Perform variance analysis (standard vs. actual, PPV, usage, absorption) and proactively identify cost improvement opportunities.
- Lead and maintain standard cost updates, BOM reviews, and overhead rate setting processes in collaboration with Engineering and Operations.
- Participate in and support inventory valuation, cycle counts, and physical inventory audits and annual inventory counts; ensure proper controls and reporting.
- Analyze labor and overhead absorption, machine utilization, and production efficiency trends.
- Support new product costings, pricing models, and margin analysis with cross-functional teams.
- Develop and maintain costing models, dashboards, and reports that enable operational decision-making.