Associate Director, Should Cost Lead

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Connecticut.

📋 Description

• Build, recruit, and nurture a centralized should-cost team that supports all commodity categories across the three Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

• Guide the development and execution of standardized should-cost methodologies, tools, templates, and modeling practices.

• Supervise the implementation of should-cost analyses to assist in sourcing events, negotiations, supplier evaluations, and cost-reduction initiatives.

• Collaborate with sourcing teams, engineering, finance, and business leaders to identify, shape, and promote cost-reduction opportunities across various categories.

• Create Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and performance metrics to assess the accuracy, impact, and efficiency of should-cost deliverables.

• Establish efficient processes and workflows to ensure consistent, scalable, and high-quality support for all SBUs.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive roadmap to enhance should-cost capabilities and align with long-term cost-management strategies.

• Provide expertise in cost modeling, cost-driver analysis, value engineering, and competitive benchmarking.

• Review and verify cost models and analyses produced by the team to guarantee accuracy, reliability, and strategic relevance.

• Lead cross-functional communication initiatives to promote the adoption of should-cost practices throughout the organization.

• Stay updated on industry trends, modeling techniques, manufacturing processes, and commodity market dynamics; convert insights into actionable strategies.

• Prepare and present executive summaries and recommendations based on should-cost findings and project results.

• Travel up to 40% is required.

⛳️ Requirements

• Typically requires a University Degree and a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field with a minimum of 10 years of experience, or in the absence of a degree, 16 years of relevant experience.

• Over 8 years of experience in strategic sourcing, cost engineering, should-cost modeling, or manufacturing cost analysis, including several years in leadership roles.

• Proven experience in building should-cost models, analyzing cost drivers, and assessing manufacturing processes across diverse commodity types.

• Demonstrated leadership ability to hire, develop, and manage high-performing analytical or cost-engineering teams.

• Strong understanding of cost-breakdown structures, value engineering, benchmarking, and principles of supplier cost transparency.

• Experience in supporting cost-saving initiatives and achieving measurable financial impact in a multi-business environment.

• Familiarity with cost-modeling tools, data analysis software, and relevant procurement or engineering platforms.

• Experience in creating KPIs, dashboards, or performance measurement tools to facilitate decision-making and process improvements.

• Background in developing, refining, and implementing enterprise-level processes, methodologies, and roadmaps.

🏝️ Benefits

• Parental (including paternal) leave

• Flexible work schedules

• Achievement awards

• Educational assistance

• Child/adult backup care