Cost Analyst

Job Description Cost Analyst & Cost Controller

Company:

Business Context

The company operates multiple advanced color coating lines catering to OEM and export markets, with high SKU and color variant complexity. Monthly throughput is approximately 15,000 MT, with a third coating line being added. SAP is live; however, costing modules require stabilization and process ownership.

Role Objective

The Cost Analyst & Cost Controller will build and own robust product costing systems, stabilize SAP costing processes, and drive strong cost control discipline across manufacturing operations. The role will support the CFO and senior management with accurate, timely, and actionable cost MIS for operational and strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Costing & Profitability Analysis

• Develop and maintain accurate SKU-wise, product-wise, and customer-wise cost sheets
• Establish costing norms for raw materials, zinc, paint, power, fuel, chemicals, labor, and overheads
• Analyze variances in consumption, yield loss, scrap, and rework and quantify financial impact
• Perform order-level and OEM/customer-level profitability analysis
• Support pricing decisions, tenders, and export contracts with detailed cost break-ups

Cost Control & Budgeting

• Develop standard costing and ensure discipline across departments
• Prepare annual budgets and periodic forecasts for plant operations
• Track actual vs budgeted costs at cost center and department levels
• Identify cost overruns, investigate root causes, and recommend corrective actions
• Track cost savings initiatives and report realization to management

SAP Costing & Systems Ownership

• Lead stabilization and implementation of costing in SAP (CO / PP modules)
• Ensure accuracy of BOMs, routings, cost centers, activity rates, and master data
• Coordinate monthly cost closing and reconciliation between SAP and physical data
• Design and generate SAP-based cost MIS dashboards for management review

Operations & Management Interface

• Work closely with Production, Maintenance, Purchase, Stores, and Quality teams
• Translate operational inefficiencies into financial metrics for management action
• Present cost MIS and insights in monthly management review meetings
• Support internal audits, statutory audits, and banker reviews on cost-related matters

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy of product and SKU-level costing
• Reduction in cost variances related to yield, scrap, and utilities
• Budget adherence at plant and department levels
• Timeliness and quality of cost MIS presented to management
• Cost savings identified and implemented

Candidate Profile

• Qualified CA or CMA (MBA Finance as an additional qualification preferred)
• 8–12 years of experience in a manufacturing environment (steel / metals / process industry preferred)
• Hands-on experience in product costing and cost control in a plant-based role
• Strong exposure to SAP CO / PP modules, including costing stabilization
• Ability to work independently and interface confidently with senior management

Key Competencies

• Manufacturing cost accounting and variance analysis
• SAP costing systems and data accuracy
• Budgeting and financial discipline
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Clear communication and presentation skills for management reviews