Cost & Inventory Manager

We are looking for an experienced Cost & Inventory Manager to support manufacturing finance activities for a biotechnology company in Menlo Park, California. This contract to FTE position will oversee inventory and cost accounting processes, strengthen financial controls, and provide meaningful analysis to support operational and commercial decision-making. The role works closely with manufacturing, supply chain, and research teams to improve cost visibility, maintain accurate valuation, and support compliance and reporting needs. There will be some travel to Sacramento, CA on a monthly basis. You will be a manager, but no direct reports for the first year (approximately). Pay is up to $90/hr. regular time and $135/hr. overtime. There will be overtime :) Please apply today if you are looking for a long-term role in a commercial biotechnology company!

Responsibilities:

• Direct cost accounting activities across manufacturing and operations, including standard cost development, allocation methodologies, and analysis of production variances.

• Manage inventory accounting for raw materials, work in process, and finished goods to ensure accurate valuation and timely financial reporting.

• Oversee month-end close tasks related to inventory balances, manufacturing performance, and cost of goods sold, ensuring completeness and accuracy.

• Create and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls that support reliable manufacturing and inventory reporting.

• Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, and R& D partners to identify cost drivers, refine assumptions, and improve the accuracy of product costing.

• Lead physical inventory programs and cycle count activities, investigate discrepancies, and drive effective inventory reconciliation.

• Review manufacturing-related expenditures to ensure proper capitalization or expense treatment in accordance with accounting guidance.

• Support audits and compliance reviews by preparing documentation and responding to questions related to inventory, costing, and manufacturing transactions.

• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning by evaluating actual costs, explaining variances, and supporting scale-up or commercialization planning.

• Assist with the implementation and ongoing maintenance of cost accounting and manufacturing-related systems when needed.

• 7+ years of experience in cost accounting, inventory accounting, or manufacturing finance within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or closely related regulated industries.
• Strong expertise in standard costing, variance analysis, inventory reconciliation, and work-in-process accounting.
• Experience supporting annual physical inventory counts, cycle count programs, and inventory valuation for manufacturing operations.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing cost accounting, cost of goods sold analysis, and financial close processes tied to production environments.
• Knowledge of internal controls, audit support, and compliance requirements relevant to inventory and manufacturing accounting.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and R& D.
• Familiarity with manufacturing systems or manufacturing execution system environments is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate cost and inventory data into clear financial insights.