Manager – Cost Engineering

The group venture is looking for an experienced Manager – Cost Engineering to drive cost engineering and cost reduction initiatives across its three business units. The role will be responsible for developing robust Zero Base Costing and Should Costing models across machining, castings and sheet metal aggregates, identifying cost reduction opportunities and working closely with plant teams, suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver measurable savings.

This is a corporate role requiring strong analytical capability, manufacturing understanding and the ability to influence multiple business units and stakeholders

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Zero Base Costing (ZBC) and Should Costing models for machining, castings and sheet metal components/aggregates.
• Analyse product and process costs including material, conversion cost, labour, machine hours, overheads, yield, scrap, tooling and other cost drivers.
• Identify and drive VA/VE initiatives to improve product value and reduce overall cost.
• Identify opportunities through standardisation, re-engineering, resourcing, process optimisation and alternate sourcing.
• Work closely with suppliers to understand their cost structures, manufacturing processes and cost drivers and identify opportunities for cost improvement.
• Partner with plant teams across the three business units to identify and execute cost reduction projects.
• Conduct detailed should-cost benchmarking against supplier quotations and market benchmarks.
• Challenge supplier costing and commercial proposals through data-driven cost analysis.
• Work with Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality and Plant Operations teams to identify feasible cost reduction opportunities.
• Drive implementation of identified cost-saving initiatives and track realised savings and impact.
• Support new product development / localisation / resourcing initiatives through target costing and cost feasibility analysis.
• Identify opportunities for process re-engineering, productivity improvement, material optimisation and design simplification.
• Develop standard costing methodologies and maintain costing databases/benchmarks for key commodities and processes.
• Provide costing insights to senior management to support business and sourcing decisions.
• Drive a culture of continuous cost improvement across plants and suppliers.

Key Skills & Experience

• 8–12 years of relevant experience in Costing / Cost Engineering / Should Costing / Cost Reduction within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong hands-on experience in Zero Base Costing and Should Costing.
• Must have strong exposure to machining, castings and sheet metal components/aggregates.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and cost drivers.
• Proven experience in VA/VE and cost reduction initiatives.
• Experience in cost reduction levers such as:
  • Standardisation
  • Re-engineering
  • Resourcing / alternate sourcing
  • Process optimisation
  • Productivity improvement
  • Material optimisation
  • Yield improvement
  • Supplier cost reduction
• Ability to independently analyse supplier quotations and build cost models from the ground up.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to work across multiple plants, business units, suppliers and corporate functions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and negotiation capabilities.
• Should be comfortable working in a highly hands-on, data-driven environment.

Preferred Background

Candidates from automotive / auto components / engineering / industrial manufacturing / precision engineering organisations with strong exposure to manufacturing cost engineering and supplier cost analysis would be preferred.

Critical Success Factors

The successful candidate should be able to:

Build the cost → Understand the process → Identify the gap → Develop the cost-reduction lever → Drive implementation → Deliver measurable savings.

Antal International is hiring for a leading Client.

Antal is a global recruitment firm that helps clients find highly skilled candidates, from mid to senior in several disciplines across a spectrum of sectors.

We provide an advanced recruitment consultancy and talent acquisition services worldwide, partnering with companies of all sizes. Our brand, people, technology, and professional business model give us the strength to do so. 

Utilizing an extensive international network to carry out cross border work allows us to bring a truly unique approach to the recruitment sector. Our global network of resources, combined with our tried and tested methodology, provide comprehensive solutions that go beyond conventional recruitment methods.