Project Cost and Manufacturing Analyst

CPG Sorting Technologies is a leader in Advanced Sorting Systems and a proud Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) based in the USA. The company designs and produces cutting‑edge solutions such as CP Auger Screens and NIR/AI MSS optical sorters to automate fiber and container sorting, increasing operational efficiency and safety. Specializing in the waste and recycling industries, CPG Sorting Technologies offers unparalleled engineering expertise and support.

Their comprehensive services cover everything from the tipping floor to baler storage, making them a trusted single‑resource provider for waste and recycling needs.

This is a full‑time on‑site role for a Project Cost and Manufacturing Analyst, based in San Diego, CA. We are seeking a detail‑oriented and analytical Project Cost & Manufacturing Analyst to evaluate completed project performance and improve estimating accuracy, costing models, and overall commercial decision‑making.

This role serves as the critical link between Manufacturing, Engineering, and Sales by converting historical project data into actionable insights. The position focuses on identifying cost variances, labor inefficiencies, material deviations, and margin drivers to continuously improve pricing tools and support profitable project execution.

• Conduct detailed financial and operational reviews of completed projects.
• Compare estimated vs. actual results including labor hours, material costs, purchased components, installation costs, change orders, and rework.
• Identify root causes of cost overruns and underruns and document key findings.
• Update internal estimating and costing models using validated project data.
• Maintain standard labor rates, production factors, and fabrication assumptions.
• Improve accuracy of equipment build hours, installation estimates, and manufacturing throughput assumptions.
• Standardize costing methodologies across product lines.
• Provide structured feedback to Sales and Estimating teams regarding high‑risk scope items and historically underestimated components.
• Participate in proposal reviews and bid risk discussions.
• Support margin improvement initiatives with data‑driven recommendations.

• Analyze trends impacting project profitability, including shop productivity, engineering release timing, vendor performance, and design complexity.
• Recommend process improvements to reduce future costs and improve efficiency.

• Work closely with Manufacturing, Project Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Sales teams.
• Act as the liaison between operational execution and commercial quoting.

• Develop recurring reports and dashboards including:
• Cost variance tracking
• Labor performance trends
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Construction Management, Finance (manufacturing focus), or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in OEM manufacturing, project costing, estimating, or manufacturing operations analysis.
• Strong understanding of fabrication and equipment manufacturing processes.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Experience working with ERP or job cost systems.

• Experience with capital equipment or custom machinery manufacturing.
• Background in estimating or project management.
• Knowledge of labor routing and BOM costing structures.
• Experience with Power BI or dashboard development.

• Improved accuracy between estimated and actual project costs.
• Reduced project margin variance.
• Increased pricing confidence for Sales teams.
• Reduced cost model update cycle time.
  
  Identification and implementation of measurable cost improvement opportunities.