Senior Category Cost Manager

• Drive cost transparency, cost modeling excellence, and negotiation readiness across the assigned category
• Lead cost analysis initiatives
• Interact directly with suppliers to drive cost improvements
• Partner with category leaders to support strategic sourcing decisions
• Provide structured reporting to the CMVA team
• Ensure alignment with global procurement standards and category strategies
• Lead cost-focused and technical conversations with suppliers and internal engineering teams
• Identify cost-reduction opportunities using should-cost, clean-sheet modeling, DFM/DFA, and value engineering principles
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and CMVA teams to align cost models with design intent and production realities
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Business, or related field; advanced degree preferred
• 8-10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, cost engineering, procurement analytics, or category management
• 3+ years people management experience leading procurement teams, including coaching and development
• Demonstrated technical expertise relevant to the category, including manufacturing processes, component design, and materials
• Strong experience in cost modeling, cost analysis, and financial modeling
• Proven ability to engage suppliers and drive cost-improvement and technical discussions
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-influencing skills
• Strong analytical mindset and attention to detail
• Strong understanding of mechanical component and sub-assembly manufacturing processes, including machining, molding, forming, welding, and assembly operations
• Knowledge of mechanical materials and cost drivers, including labor, machine rates, tooling, yields, scrap, and overhead allocation
• Experience costing and analyzing mechanical and electromechanical sub-assemblies, including assembly labor, testing, and integration complexity
• Ability to apply should-cost, clean-sheet modeling, DFM/DFA, and value engineering principles
• Strong business and financial acumen, including make-versus-buy decisions, total cost of ownership, and global supply base dynamics
• Effective collaboration across global, matrixed teams
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High accountability, ownership, and results orientation
• Willingness to travel 25-50%
• International/multi-cultural work experience preferred

Demonstrates expertise in cost modeling, cost analysis, and procurement analytics, with a strong focus on driving cost transparency and improvements through collaboration with suppliers and internal teams. Proven ability to lead procurement teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Cost Modeling
• Cost Analysis
• Strategic Sourcing
• People Management
• Financial Acumen

• Cost Engineering
• Should-Cost Modeling
• Clean-Sheet Modeling
• DFM/DFA Principles
• Value Engineering
• Manufacturing Processes
• Component Design
• Financial Modeling
• Mechanical Materials Knowledge
• Costing Mechanical Sub-Assemblies

• Excellent Communication
• Analytical Mindset
• Attention to Detail
• Stakeholder Influencing
• High Accountability

• Procurement Analytics
• Category Management
• Global Supply Base Dynamics
• Matrixed Teams
• International Work Experience