Senior Cost Engineer in Crewe, Cheshire

MAIN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This role is responsible for setting challenging financial targets for both unit cost and investment at a system/component level to proactively reduce the unit cost of existing and new products and minimise investment, to deliver business objectives.

Provide both technical and financial expertise to drive business decision-making, including cost modeling techniques, value engineering, and value analysis. Identify and deliver further cost reduction opportunities from my own business experience and knowledge.

Responsible for providing, reviewing, and presenting technical and financial data analysis to senior management, including risks and opportunities to maximize business performance.

RESPONSIBILITY/TASKS AND CUSTOMERS

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES (Maximum of 5 relating to products, services etc.)
Internal/External Customers
1. Financial Target Setting for Unit cost and associated investment

a. Application of the target setting process to set unit and investment targets at a module, system and component level to support all new vehicle programmes to challenge cross functional teams to improve performance further through technical and financial analysis
b. To provide benchmark data and predecessor material cost information to all customers to support target setting, utilising best practice and Group expertise
c. Work within the Modules to balance targets and obtain full cross functional buy-in to stretched targets
d. Establish component target costs for Current Model Projects, including Permits, Engineering Changes and Product Cost Optimisation activities

Internal/External
2. Provide technical and financial expertise to drive business decisions

a. Support and challenge the design process in achieving cost targets, recommending cost effective solutions through the design review process. Achieve formal agreed cost targets at nomination and at supplier investment release for all major systems/parts within a module
b. Support and actively influence cost reduction programmes for all products by providing technical and costing information to support the Product Cost Optimisation forum including full support to Product Tear-down events and generation of innovative cost down initiatives.
c. Lead lean manufacturing workshops at supplier premises, as required in order to identify the non-added value content and key cost drivers to maximise the potential for target achievement and cost reduction.
d. Evaluate Product Description Book change requests and engineering change requests, set, agree and deliver cost targets.
e. Authorisation of expenditure within module budgets, considering value for money and appropriateness, level of authority up to 10 euro unit cost and 50,000 euros investment.
f. Conduct detailed analysis of supplier cost models, quotation analysis forms in order to identify opportunities to drive the supplier price negotiation to secure best value outcome for the business. Actively participate in the negotiation process with cross functional support to ensure all business objectives are met in terms of cost, quality, capacity and VW group requirements
g. Support Modules in terms of unit and investment impact for studies relating to alternative design solutions and manufacturing methods to support project decision-making
h. Modular responsibility across multiple projects and platforms Internal/External
3. Cost Data Management and Material Cost Control

KEY COMPETENCIES & QUALIFICATIONS

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Significant knowledge and experience of working within a cost engineering environment, preferably within the automotive industry.
Able to apply problem-solving techniques to a variety of product, process and project-related issues.
Able to influence the design of new products, understanding the technical requirements of both internal and external customers
Knowledge of financial accounting processes and principles, ability to analyze and interpret financial accounts.
Able to work with, assist, advise, encourage, motivate, and lead where appropriate cross-functional teams and when required manage projects, developing strong peer group working relationships
Strong Presentation skills gained through presenting to Senior Managers in the business
Demonstrable people management skills, specifically development, coaching and mentoring.

PRACTICAL & TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

Product Cost Management, estimating and process planning experience within a Production and engineering environment.
knowledge of procurement processes, practical negotiation skills, cost estimating and engineering practices, value analysis, value engineering and cost modelling techniques
Whole vehicle component and system manufacturing process and materials knowledge
Practical knowledge and experience in lean manufacturing techniques and industrial engineering skills.
Highly competent with the use of systems and software packages - Advanced Excel, Powerpoint, Office.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education to a degree standard
An Engineering/Manufacturing background would be beneficial

Hybrid work

Outside IR35

Call for further details!

Disclaimer:

This vacancy is being advertised by either Advanced Resource Managers Limited, Advanced Resource Managers IT Limited or Advanced Resource Managers Engineering Limited ("ARM"). ARM is a specialist talent acquisition and management consultancy. We provide technical contingency recruitment and a portfolio of more complex resource solutions. Our specialist recruitment divisions cover the entire technical arena, including some of the most economically and strategically important industries in the UK and the world today. We will never send your CV without your permission. Where the role is marked as Outside IR35 in the advertisement this is subject to receipt of a final Status Determination Statement from the end Client and may be subject to change.