The Cost Accounting Manager leads the execution and end-to end ownership of inventory accounting, weigh-ups, valuation, commodity accounting, manufacturing financial reporting, and control activities across assigned operations. This role acts as a mentor and coach to the Cost Accounting team, establishes consistent practices, and ensures accurate and timely financial reporting while maintaining a strong control environment. The Cost Accounting Manager partners closely with Operations, FP&A, and Finance leadership to identify risks, improve processes, validation of outcomes, escalation with timely issue closure with providing recommendations and clarity around manufacturing and inventory-related financial results. Through strong leadership, sound judgment, and a focus on simplification and scalability, the role helps transform and strengthen the Cost Accounting function while executing the strategic vision established by Finance leadership.
Establish consistent execution of inventory accounting, valuation .
Oversee month-end and year-end close activities related to inventory, commodity accounting, manufacturing accounting, and related balance sheet accounts.
Evaluate control deficiencies, process risks, and accounting issues, recommend remediation plans, and lead implementation efforts in partnership with the finance leadership.
Oversee valuation of commodity inventories and related liabilities and ensure consistency of accounting practices across the organization.
Monitor inventory accuracy, adjustment activity, count results, and reconciliation differences to identify risks and improve financial integrity.
Partner with Operations, FP&A, and Finance leadership to evaluate manufacturing performance trends, inventory risks, commodity market impacts, and financial results, helping prioritize actions and continuous improvement opportunities.
Drive standardization, simplification, and scalability initiatives that improve reporting, controls, and organizational effectiveness.
Identify and support activities around continuous improvement opportunities – including ongoing transformational changes to ERP, data, manufacturing execution and up-stream plant processes, reporting, and overall accounting processes. Effectively identify, prioritize, and implement improvements will appropriate change management.
Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, internal controls, and regulatory requirements.
Support audit activities and serve as a key point of coordination for external audit requests related to inventory and manufacturing accounting.
Accountability for using reporting tools, automation, self-service analytics, and emerging AI capabilities to improve data quality, control effectiveness, speed, and decision support.
Translate manufacturing, inventory, and commodity results into concise narratives, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions for Operations and Finance leaders.
Challenge assumptions constructively, align priorities across facilities, and connect Cost Accounting decisions to enterprise financial and operational outcomes.
Responsible for documentation standards, cross-training, succession depth, and reducing key-person dependency across the Cost Accounting team.
Education
Bachelor's Degree OR equivalent experience.
Experience
8+ years of relevant experience
Experience developing and implementing accounting processes, controls, and process improvements.
CPA preferred; CMA considered for candidates with significant manufacturing accounting leadership experience.
Experience supporting complex ERP environments and process transformation initiatives preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Advanced knowledge of inventory accounting, manufacturing accounting, commodity accounting, financial controls, and risk management.
Ability to assess risks and prioritize resources across multiple facilities, processes, and initiatives.
Ability to evaluate operational and financial performance trends across multiple facilities and identify enterprise risks, improvement opportunities, and emerging business issues.
Ability to develop teams through coaching, mentorship, and professional development.
Ability to lead change and drive adoption of improved processes and controls.
Ability to communicate complex financial and operational concepts to stakeholders at varying organizational levels.
Ability to build partnerships across Operations, Finance, FP&A, and related functions.
Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
Ability to drive scalability, simplification, and continuous improvement within a growing accounting organization.
Experience in delivering measurable outcomes such as cycle time, first-pass quality, recurring issue reduction, control performance, and realization of automation benefits.
Language
Travel
Up to 5% travel required.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Location:
Denver CO Address:
1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202 Additional Locations (if applicable):
Employment Type:
Full time Additional Information:
Competitive Compensation:
We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate’s unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $128,300.00 - $153,900.00, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - MIP, 15% Annual.
Benefits:
At Ardent Mills we offer a wide range of benefits to our team members and their eligible family members. Some of our great benefit programs you may be eligible for include: • Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage• Health and Dependent Savings Accounts • Life and Disability Programs • Voluntary Benefit Programs • Company Sponsored Wellness Programs • Retirement Savings with Company Match • Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP) • Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays • Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE).
Application Deadline:
12/22/202612/22/2026 EEO Commitment:
At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills. The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.En Ardent Mills, todos importan y todos tienen voz. Estamos comprometidos a brindar un ambiente de respeto mutuo donde haya igualdad de oportunidades disponibles para todos los solicitantes y miembros del equipo y las decisiones se basarán en el mérito, la competencia, el desempeño y las necesidades comerciales. Estamos orgullosos de ser un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. No discriminamos por motivos de raza, color, religión, credo, origen nacional, ascendencia, estado civil, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género, discapacidad física o mental, embarazo, información genética, condición de veterano, edad, política. afiliación, o cualquier otra característica no meritoria protegida por ley o no. Juntos, celebrando nuestras diferencias, formamos Ardent Mills. La descripción del puesto anterior ha sido diseñada para indicar la naturaleza general y los deberes y responsabilidades esenciales del trabajo realizado por los empleados dentro de este puesto. Es posible que no contenga un inventario completo de todos los deberes, responsabilidades y calificaciones requeridas de los empleados en este puesto. La descripción, los deberes, las funciones y las responsabilidades están sujetos a cambios a discreción de Ardent Mills.
Role Designation
Ardent Mills is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. This role follows a hybrid work arrangement and will be based in the assigned work location. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person from their assigned office location two days per week (Tuesday and Wednesday), except when traveling for business.
Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer :
At Ardent Mills, the security of our employees and candidates is a priority. We will never request sensitive information such as your bank account information, social security number, or other non-publicly available information during the application and interview process. If someone asks you for sensitive information, we strongly advise that you assume that individual is not affiliated with Ardent Mills. Some things to watch out for:
Slightly altered or unprofessional email addresses.
Ardent Mills’ Recruitment team only corresponds from email addresses with the domain
[email protected] or
[email protected] .
Vague job requirements or job descriptions.
Our open job opportunities and descriptions can be found at
ardentmillscareers.com
