Cost Analyst

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Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

In this position.

Cost Estimating Analyst for Interior Trim, interfacing with key stakeholders in Purchasing (Supply Chain), Product Development (including Programs), Material Cost, and Finance, for all matters related to part costs for IP Ducts and IP Registers commodities. This role requires a strategic influencer who can manage an ambiguous environment.

ResponsibilitiesWhat you'll do.

• Contribute your extensive expertise to the Cost Estimating team as we continuously refine our chosen agile framework and modern ways of working
• Earn and maintain your status as the agile and modern ways of working subject matter expert through continuous learning and application of your knowledge to solve tough, complex issues
• Be a trusted advisor to senior leaders as they continuously refine their organizations for the present and future
• Develop piece cost and tooling estimates for assigned commodities which requires an extensive understanding of manufacturing cost structure and supply base capability.
• Support teardowns, benchmark standard methodologies, and identify material cost reduction opportunities.
• Support cost target setting, commercial pricing agreements, and change control processes for forward and current model vehicle programs by delivering accurate estimates including detailed cost gap analysis.
• Actively support strategic commodity initiatives with relevant cost analyses
• Ensure reasonable, physicals-based, Best-In-Class assumptions for part manufacturing of their respective commodities, and convincingly convey principles to stakeholders & partners.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of differences between Activity Based Costing, volume-based costing, and "Should Cost". Provide technical guidance and variance explanations between ABC, suppliers' costing methodologies, and "Should Cost" estimates.
• Facilitate and participate on supplier plant visits, preferably with Supply Chain and STA, to support benchmarking, data gathering, training, negotiations, or other activities as needed to ensure physicals-based cost estimates, quantifiable gap analyses, and viable cost reductions.
• Provide negotiation support to Supply Chain as they engage senior supplier representatives to achieve material cost reductions.
• Deliver robust cost estimates and analyses in support of Program Lifecycle, TVM, Benchmarking, etc. , as required to drive design and commercial cost reductions.

• Bachelor degree required - Must possess either an Engineering undergraduate degree with 3+ years of business and/or finance experience, or an undergraduate degree in Finance/Business.
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience.
• 3+ years of experience in automotive component manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in Data.
• Demonstrated history of driving agile transformation in a costing environment.
• Exceptional communication (oral & written), facilitation, team building, conflict resolution and collaboration skills in cross-functional, diverse environments.
• Experience implementing advanced agile approaches utilizing data analytics and the use of AI to help modernize and improve efficiency.
• Persuasive storytelling abilities enabling you to promote your ideas at the highest levels, gain alignment, generate excitement, and instigate momentum in complex matrixed environments.
• A hyper collaborative mindset and ability to partner with teams and leaders regardless of level.
• Tenacity, grit, and a persistent sense of urgency with a bias for action (even in ambiguous and fluid situations).
• A Cost Estimator/Cost Analyst should possess experience in more than one of the following:
  • Driver Assist Systems (i. e. , Instrument Clusters/Smart Displays)
  • Metal Casting: Ferrous, AL, Mg
  • Extrusion
  • Machining
  • Plastic Injection Molding & Plastic Finishing
  • Blow Molding, Plastic Extrusion
  • Stamping & Welded Assemblies
  • Electrical/Electronics/SMT
  • Interior/Exterior Painting
  • Polyurethane Foam Molding
  • Thermoforming,
• Experience using Estimating Software to develop OCE and should cost estimates such as FACTON, ARRORI, SIEMANS.
• Ability to construct and analyze manufacturing costs of components by reviewing drawings, engineering specifications, and functional requirements.
• Demonstrate a proven grasp of business concepts as well as quantitative and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to assess cost benefit analysis of different supplier manufacturing methods.
• Ability to maintain data integrity and accuracy and use data to identify and solve problems.
• Strong collaboration and leadership skills.
• Clear, concise, and persuasive communication skills with strong Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word capabilities
• Proactive with the ability to balance multiple tasks.
• Maintain data integrity and accuracy, and use data analysis to identify and tackle problems.

• Bachelor of Science Engineering.
• Knowledge of GPDS timeline and Cost Estimating support provided at key milestones.
• Knowledge of Global Material Cost Strategies.
• Knowledge of Lean principles (value stream maps, takt time, etc. ) preferred.