Cost Accounting Analyst (New Joint Venture)

About the role

The Cost Accounting Analyst will join a newly created joint venture between 3M and Bain Capital, supporting U.S. operations with a focus on cost accounting, inventory management, and operational performance. This hands‑on role offers the chance to influence financial visibility and decision‑making in a fast‑growing safety business.

Key responsibilities

• Lead cost accounting and operational performance analysis for U.S. sites, providing insights on cost drivers and profitability.
• Analyze and monitor standard costs, manufacturing and operational variances (labor, overhead, material) and drive corrective actions.
• Partner with operations leaders to improve cost control, productivity, and efficiency through data‑driven analysis.
• Manage inventory accounting processes, including cycle counts, physical inventories, obsolescence, and reserve analysis.
• Own month‑end close activities such as cost allocations, inventory valuation, and variance reporting.
• Support budgeting and forecasting, focusing on cost structures, volume assumptions, and operational drivers.
• Provide financial analysis for capital investments, cost‑savings initiatives, and continuous‑improvement projects, tracking ROI and post‑implementation results.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and external regulations.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Proven experience in cost accounting and inventory management within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and communicate financial insights effectively.
• Understanding of U.S. operational and regulatory requirements.

Required skills

• Cost accounting
• Inventory accounting
• Variance analysis
• Financial reporting
• Budgeting and forecasting
• ROI analysis
• Month‑end close processes