Job Title: Plant Accounting Manager Location: Owatonna MN
Business Unit: Specialty Tapes & Liners FLSA Status: Salary Exempt
Reporting to: Plant Controller Department: Finance
Direct Reports: Yes E
ffective Date: January 2026
Summary
This role provides comprehensive financial analysis and reporting specializing in manufacturing cost accounting while also supporting general accounting functions ensuring accurate financial records compliance and strategic decision-making for plant leadership and upper management. The role has the functional responsibility to develop and maintain the cost accounting system value the inventory assist with budget functions and participate in the month end financial closes for the organization in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The Cost Accountant has a key role within the Finance team and works closely with the director of operations and the operations management team.
Responsibilities (Primary)
- Develop Labor and O/H rates for standard costing.
- Monitor and update raw material standard costs where necessary.
- Establish standard costs for newly created parts (Daily).
- Analyze manufacturing operations inventory and overhead to determine product cost variance and profitability.
- Perform month-end close analyze variance (actual vs standard) and report root causes.
- Update all Inventory reserve files and book appropriate changes to reserve account.
- Lead Cycle and Year-End Physical Inventory process.
- Validate I/C pricing with Customer Care.
- Formulate budget for various costs of goods sold and inventory.
- Determine current asset stage.
Senior Accounting (Secondary)
- Assist with the overall month-end and year-end closing process including journal entries and reconciliations.
- Oversee work of Staff Accountant including Cash Receipts and Accounts Payable function.
- Assist in preparation of documentation for external audit.
- Analyze financial statements for discrepancies and support reporting to management.
- Routinely communicate to track the progress and launch date for the asset to go into service.
- Assist in the creation and review of all Capex project proposals.
Qualifications: Required Skills Education and Experience
- Bachelors degree required in either accounting or finance.
- 5 years of related experience in a manufacturing environment
- Previous experience as Cost Accountant
- Experience within a growth outcome based and execution focused organization is a plus.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to translate financial results into operational recommendations.
- Previous experience with managing fixed assets reports a plus.
Travel Requirements
- Less than 5% domestic travel required
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an individual encounters and must meet while performing the essential functions of the job.
The position is primarily performed in an office setting using standard office equipment such as computers phones and printers. The role occasionally requires visits to the manufacturing plant floor where the individual may encounter moderate noise levels temperature fluctuations fumes or airborne particles and moving mechanical parts. During these visits compliance with OSHA safety standards SQF regulations and company safety policies is mandatory including the use of personal protective equipment such as steel-toe safety shoes and safety glasses.
The position involves extended periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer as well as frequent verbal and written communication. Occasional standing and walking on the plant floor is required along with the ability to navigate safely around equipment and production areas. The individual may need to lift and carry items weighing up to 20 pounds such as files laptops or safety gear and must be able to wear PPE when necessary.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The job description is not an exhaustive listing of all responsibilities and may be revised at any time.