Cost Accounting Lead at Panasonic

Lead Cost Accountant

The Lead Cost Accountant is responsible for end-to-end cost accounting, inventory control, and operational financial reporting across multiple business units, with direct support for Performance Parts manufacturing (sheet metal) and distribution (warehouse operations). This role serves as a strategic finance partner to operations, providing insight into cost drivers, labor productivity, and margin performance. The position blends technical cost accounting expertise with ownership of inventory processes, multi-entity P&L consolidation, and leadership of billing and transactional accounting staff.

Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Analysis

• Maintain and update standard costs for labor, materials, and overhead within the ERP system (Oracle EBS preferred)
• Analyze and explain key variances, including labor, overhead, purchase price, and usage
• Support cost rollups and ensure accuracy of frozen standard costs
• Provide ongoing analysis of cost drivers and margin performance

Inventory Management & Control

• Own inventory accuracy, valuation, and reporting across sheet metal manufacturing and parts warehouse operations (including picking and distribution)
• Lead physical inventory counts and cycle count programs across manufacturing and warehouse locations
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies in partnership with operations
• Strengthen inventory controls, processes, and data integrity across both manufacturing and distribution environments

Operations Finance & Margin Support

• Partner with manufacturing and warehouse operations to analyze labor productivity, picking efficiency, and labor-to-sales ratios
• Provide visibility into cost drivers across production and distribution workflows
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and cost structure
• Serve as a primary financial liaison between accounting and operations teams

Revenue & P&L Reporting

• Manage and support revenue accruals and related financial entries
• Consolidate and report financial results across multiple P&Ls/business units
• Provide clear, actionable reporting on margins, cost trends, and financial performance
• Support leadership with insights to drive informed business decisions

Team Leadership & Oversight

• Supervise billing clerks and transactional accounting staff
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistency in billing processes
• Provide coaching, performance direction, and oversight of daily activities
• Drive process improvements and strengthen internal controls

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

510+ years of experience in cost accounting, inventory accounting, or operations finance

Strong understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory controls

Experience supporting multiple business units or P&Ls

Ability to effectively partner with operations and communicate financial information clearly

Prior experience leading or supervising staff

Preferred Experience with Oracle EBS or similar ERP system

Experience in both manufacturing and distribution environments

Exposure to union labor environments and labor cost modeling

Key Competencies

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to translate financial data into operational insights

Proactive, ownership-oriented mindset

Effective communication with both finance and non-finance stakeholders

Leadership and team development capabilities

What Success Looks Like

Inventory is accurate, controlled, and consistently well-managed

Cost variances are clearly identified, explained, and proactively addressed

Operations views finance as a trusted partner in decision-making

Billing processes are efficient, accurate, and scalable

Leadership receives clear, concise, and actionable financial reporting

The role demonstrates strong ownership and continuous improvement

Benefits & Perks

Hussmann is committed to supporting your total wellbeing through a wide variety of benefits and wellness programs to support your physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health. Here's what you can expect:

Health Benefits Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.

Voluntary Benefits Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.

Hussmann Retirement Savings & Investment Plan 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.

Paid Time-Off Benefits Paid time off, stewardship and parental leave.

Educational Assistance Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.

Health Management and Wellbeing Programs EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, and tobacco cessation.

*Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following their start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status.

About Hussmann

For over a century, Hussmann Corporation has been a global leader in commercial refrigeration equipment delivering solutions that meet the demands of the modern food retailing industry. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, Hussmann offers a diverse range of products and connected solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency, optimize visibility of merchandise, and keep food fresh. With a nationwide network of skilled technicians, Hussmann goes beyond manufacturing a trusted partner, relentlessly driving customer success.

For more information about Hussmann, please visit www.hussmann.com.

Hussmann is a subsidiary of Panasonic USA. Hussmann is proudly committed to creating an inclusive environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to veteran status, disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetics, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.