Senior Cost Estimator

LHH Recruitment Solutions is seeking to fill a Senior Cost Estimator position for a manufacturing organization on a high growth trajectory based in the Triad area of North Carolina. The role will serve as a key member of the Finance team, partnering closely with manufacturing operations to develop accurate product costing, pricing strategies, and profitability analysis across multiple product lines. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in heavy manufacturing environments, strong analytical skills, and expertise in cost analysis, estimating, BOM analysis, and margin reporting.

This opportunity offers significant visibility across the organization, exposure to operational leadership, and the chance to directly influence business decisions within a company on an exciting growth trajectory.

The Cost Estimator will collaborate with finance, engineering, sales, and operations teams to build and audit cost proposals, evaluate production costs, and identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.

• Develop detailed cost estimates and pricing proposals for new and existing products.
• Analyze bills of materials (BOMs), labor requirements, machine utilization, and manufacturing overhead costs.
• Review and audit cost proposals to ensure accuracy, consistency, and profitability objectives are achieved.
• Build and maintain labor rate, machine rate, and overhead allocation models.
• Perform margin analysis and profitability reviews across multiple product lines.
• Evaluate actual versus estimated costs and investigate significant variances.
• Partner with manufacturing operations to improve costing methodologies and strengthen cost visibility.
• Conduct regular shop floor walkthroughs to gain a comprehensive understanding of production processes and cost drivers.
• Analyze sales, manufacturing costs, and gross margin performance to support strategic decision-making.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning initiatives.
• Prepare reports and presentations for management regarding costs, pricing, and profitability trends.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Industrial Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in cost estimating, project accounting, cost accounting, manufacturing finance, or pricing analysis
• Heavy manufacturing experience is required.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing cost structures, product costing, and profitability analysis.
• Experience working with bills of materials (BOMs), labor standards, machine rates, and overhead allocations.
• Knowledge of average costing methodologies and manufacturing accounting principles.
• Proven ability to analyze large datasets and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Benefit offerings include medical, dental, vision, term life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, commuter benefits, wellness plans, and a 401k plan or a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Available paid leave includes Personal Time Off (PTO) on an accrual basis and Paid Holidays.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled