Associate Director – Product Cost Optimization

Role Overview

• Analyze and forecast product cost performance across programs and commodities, identifying emerging risks and untapped opportunities
• Develop and maintain cost performance dashboards and reporting mechanisms that provide visibility to key stakeholders
• Conduct deep-dive cost analysis to support informed decision-making at executive and operational levels
• Track and measure the impact of cost reduction initiatives and strategic sourcing activities including long-term agreement management
• Identify and evaluate cost reduction opportunities across Value Analysis & Value Engineering (VAVE), Work Transfer, and Claims & Assertions initiatives
• Responsible for operational and cross-functional governance of assigned workstreams, including facilitating tiered escalation reviews
• Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, procurement, and finance teams to drive cost reduction ideation and establish prioritization frameworks
• Assess feasibility, risk, and financial impact of proposed cost initiatives
• Support the development of business cases and implementation roadmaps for priority cost reduction opportunities
• Drive the CORE (Cost Optimization & Reduction Excellence) engagement roadmap, serving as primary coordinator and project manager for this strategic initiative
• Establish clear milestones, deliverables, and success metrics for CORE initiatives
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and maintain momentum across CORE workstreams
• Provide regular updates and progress reporting to leadership on CORE roadmap execution
• Provide actionable insights and data-driven recommendations to leadership on cost-related matters and strategic opportunities
• Prepare analysis, summaries, and presentation materials that translate complex cost data into clear business impact narratives
• Partner cross-functionally on should cost opportunities to aid in negotiations, business case completion, or cost reduction initiatives
• Identify emerging cost trends, systemic issues, and process improvement opportunities
• Support executive decision-making with timely, accurate, and relevant cost intelligence
• Support the implementation of process maturity improvements designed to enhance cost visibility and control
• Evaluate current cost management tools, processes, and governance structures; identify gaps and improvement opportunities
• Partner with process owners and business units to pilot and scale process improvements
• Develop training and communication materials to support adoption of enhanced processes and tools
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of process improvements through relevant KPIs

Requirements

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience
• 7+ years experience in cost analysis, financial analysis, supply chain, or operations
• Experience collaborating across functional teams (engineering, supply chain, finance, procurement)
• Must be willing and able to communicate with all levels of the organization

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• And more!