Senior Manager, Cost Accounting Job at Orca Bio in Menlo Park

Orca Bio is a late‑stage biotechnology company redefining the transplant process by developing next‑generation cell therapies. The Senior Manager, Cost Accounting will lead cost accounting activities for manufacturing and operational functions within a biotechnology or pharmaceutical organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, own and oversee standard costing, variance analysis, and cost allocations across manufacturing operations.
• Establish and maintain cost accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Lead and review monthly close activities related to inventory, COGS, and manufacturing variances.
• Support cost‑of‑goods‑sold analysis for clinical and commercial products.
• Maintain accurate inventory valuation for raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Account for complex manufacturing processes, including batch‑based and patient‑specific production.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and R&D to understand cost drivers and improve cost accuracy.
• Lead physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• Ensure proper capitalization and expensing of manufacturing‑related costs.
• Support monthly close activities related to inventory, COGS, and manufacturing variances.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, SOX (if applicable), and internal controls.
• Assist with audit requests related to inventory, cost accounting, and manufacturing transactions.
• Support implementation and maintenance of ERP and cost accounting systems.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for auditors on cost accounting and inventory‑related matters.
• Assist in manufacturing cost forecasts and annual budgets.
• Monitor actual costs versus budget and provide variance analysis.
• Support long‑range planning related to scale‑up, tech transfer, and commercialization.

Minimum Experience, Education, Certifications, Licenses

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive cost accounting experience in a manufacturing, biotech, or pharmaceutical environment.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.
• Experience working with ERP systems – NetSuite is highly desirable.
• Strong Excel skills and data analysis capabilities.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with manufacturing and operations teams.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, or biologics manufacturing.
• Knowledge of GMP manufacturing environments.
• CPA preferred but not required.
• Experience supporting clinical stage to commercial transition.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $155,000 – $175,000 per year. Eligible for pre‑IPO equity, medical, dental, and vision benefits, flexible PTO, 401(k) plan, life and accidental death and disability coverage, and parental leave benefits. Free daily lunches and snacks at on‑site locations.

Who we are

We are driven by a passion for science and compassion for patients. Our core values of passion, courage, and integrity guide our work. We live by excellence and innovate on a path that hasn’t been paved. We maintain a start‑up culture of camaraderie and leadership by example.

Notice to staffing firms

Orca Bio does not accept resumes from staffing agencies without a written agreement for a particular opening. All candidates are presented through our HR/Talent team only.

Equal Opportunity

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Celebrating our differences creates stronger, lasting solutions that better serve our team, our patients, and their healthcare providers.