Cost Controller, Spacecraft

As a Cost Controller at BlackSky, your core responsibilities will include tracking production costs and conducting variance analyses to improve profitability. You will manage capital expenditure projects, work closely with supply chain and production teams, oversee accurate job costing, and prepare financial reports for stakeholders, ensuring compliance with US GAAP and company policies.

To qualify for the Cost Controller position at BlackSky, you should have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, along with over 5 years of progressive cost controlling experience in a manufacturing environment. Strong leadership, expertise in cost accounting and inventory management, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PLEX are also required.

The Cost Controller role at BlackSky operates under a hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of two days per week in the Tukwila, WA office. This balance allows you to engage with your team and collaborate on exciting projects while also enjoying the flexibility of working remotely.

At BlackSky, the PLEX ERP system is utilized for data extraction and analysis in the role of Cost Controller. Familiarity with this system, as well as knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting, is beneficial for success in managing and improving financial processes.

The Cost Controller position at BlackSky comes with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance, generous PTO, a 401(k) plan with employer matching, employee assistance programs, and opportunities for professional development. You'll also enjoy being part of a diverse and inclusive work environment.

In your response, highlight specific experiences where you tracked production costs, analyzed cost structures, and managed budgets. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your understanding of cost accounting principles and their importance in ensuring profitability in a manufacturing context.

For this question, discuss your approach to identifying deviations from standard costs, the methods you use to analyze variances, and how this analysis informs management decisions. Emphasize its role in improving financial performance and supporting budget goals.

Share specific strategies you have previously implemented, such as engaging with teams to identify inefficiencies, utilizing financial data for decision making, or participating in capital expenditure projects. This demonstrates your proactive approach to cost management.

Discuss your past roles that required preparing financial reports and how you effectively communicated complex financial information to stakeholders. Highlight your ability to tailor presentations to different audiences and use data visualizations to enhance understanding.

Outline your protocols for adhering to US GAAP and the internal controls your previous employers have put in place. Mention your experience with audits and how you support compliance efforts through systematic policies and practices.

Mention tools like PLEX ERP and Microsoft Excel, explaining how you use them to analyze data, track costs, and generate reports. Emphasize your familiarity with these systems and how they help streamline financial processes.

Provide specific examples of challenges you've faced, how you approached resolving discrepancies, and what steps you take to ensure accurate cost tracking moving forward. This will showcase your problem-solving abilities.

Share a success story involving a capital expenditure project where your insights led to better alignment with budget expectations or improved ROI. Highlight your analytical skills and strategic contributions.

Explain your methods for staying informed on financial regulations, such as attending workshops, engaging with professional associations, or subscribing to industry publications, demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning.

Articulate the importance of the Cost Controller role in supporting executive decision-making, optimizing resource allocation, and providing insights that help steer the company toward its financial objectives.