Cost Plant Manager

Plant Cost Manager

About the Role

Join Ashley Furniture as a Plant Cost Manager and become a strategic financial partner to facility management. In this role, you'll go beyond traditional cost accounting—you'll be on the manufacturing floor, analyzing operations, identifying improvement opportunities, and driving financial performance through data-driven insights and collaborative problem-solving.

This position combines hands-on financial analysis with operational excellence, supporting facility leadership in making sound business decisions that achieve goals while protecting assets and ensuring accurate financial reporting.

What You'll Do

Financial Analysis & Strategic Partnership

• Provide effective and accurate financial analysis tools to operations management
• Identify and implement process improvement projects and cost reduction initiatives
• Collaborate with operations to analyze, determine, and implement process changes to meet or exceed budgeted goals
• Partner with management to develop process improvement objectives including Vision Tracker and X to Y projects
• Serve as the company's financial representative for assigned facility

Cost Accounting & Accuracy

• Maintain bill of materials, labor routings, and IFM account classifications for accuracy
• Utilize tools such as Miscellaneous Inventory Transactions, labor variance tracking, and budget vs. actual reporting
• Review inventory balances and ensure perpetual inventories align with financial reporting systems
• Perform standard cost accounting functions for asset protection and accurate financial reporting
• Understand and assist with incentive pay and local finance-related questions

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Participate in budget development process
• Conduct regular follow-up with management on budget performance
• Provide detailed variance analysis and actionable recommendations

Vendor & Contract Management

• Meet with utility companies and local vendors to review contractual situations
• Negotiate best possible rates and terms
• Identify and submit Authorization For Expenditure (AFE) for new equipment, machinery, make vs. buy decisions, and temporary vs. permanent labor

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop team of 2-3 direct reports
• Make employment decisions including hiring, promotions, corrective actions, terminations, and pay adjustments
• Manage employee performance through coaching, mentoring, and performance reviews
• Conduct weekly team meetings and regular individual employee meetings
• Recommend, plan, and implement employee training and skill development
• Audit regularly to ensure adherence to standard operating procedures
• Maintain accurate employee time-keeping and absentee records

Continuous Improvement

• Go directly to the work being done to identify improvement opportunities
• Seek to understand "why" something works the way it does through study and improvement
• Manage resources to optimize equipment, facilities, employees, methods, and materials

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent work experience)
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment
• Travel opportunities available
• Flexible schedule with willingness to work extended hours when necessary

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Cost accounting and general accounting expertise
• Business management acumen
• Computerized accounting systems experience
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Continuous Improvement methodology knowledge

Professional Competencies

• Problem solving
• Delegation
• Business acumen
• Perseverance
• Building effective teams
• Motivating others
• Conflict management

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Display empathy, understanding, and patience with employees and external customers
• Respond professionally in difficult situations with employees, vendors, or customers

Personal Attributes

• Strong attention to detail
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Work independently and in a team environment
• Maintain confidentiality
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously within established time constraints
• Perform under strong demands in a fast-paced environment

Why Ashley Furniture?

• Partner directly with operations leadership to drive business results
• Hands-on role with visibility to entire manufacturing operation
• Opportunity to make tangible impact through process improvements and cost savings
• Lead and develop a finance team
• Collaborative environment that values continuous improvement
• Career growth opportunities within Finance organization
• Competitive compensation and benefits package

Our Core Values

• Problem Solving - Finding better ways to work
• Business Acumen - Understanding the financial impact
• Building Effective Teams - Developing people and partnerships
• Perseverance - Driving results through challenges
• Integrity - Doing what's right

Ready to Apply?

Join Ashley Furniture Industries as a Plant Cost Manager and drive financial performance through operational excellence!

Ashley Furniture Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer