This is a hybrid position requiring an on-site presence 3 to 4 days per week. Please note that the number of on-site days may increase based on business needs.
Job Summary
The Strategic Cost Manager is responsible for driving cost control and enhancing profitability across the organization. This position is expected to develop strategies and provide analytical support for net cost reduction and cost increase mitigation activities. The candidate is adept at leveraging market trends and cost models to produce insights for fact-based decision-making and supplier net cost negotiations. The role is viewed as a subject matter expert for category-specific commodities and cost models.
Duties and Responsibilities
Cost Modeling
Develop comprehensive cost models which closely reflect supplier input cost volatility
Work closely with suppliers to acutely understand cost structures
Continuously maintain and refine cost models to ensure cost component alignment with production enhancements and contract changes
Develop a fundamental understanding of the manufacturing process for specific product groups
Educate and gain alignment with suppliers on cost component eligibility for pricing action
Supplier Negotiations
Support Merchants with fact-based market intelligence in supplier negotiations
Create detailed negotiation insights and benefit targets for Sourcing
Review contracts to understand supplier cost change dynamics and develop strategies for proactive increase and decrease activities
Create customized cost breakdown templates for RFPs
Build working relationships with suppliers that promote transparency and partnership
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Lead cost risk and opportunity meetings with Merchants
Regularly provide comprehensive cost change analysis and recommendations to Merchants
Provide market insights to cross-functional teams (PGMO, RevMan, Merchandising, Sales) to facilitate proactive decision-making
Assist in benefit forecasting for sourcing events and supplier direct negotiations
Advise Merchandising on market relevance of supplier net cost
Market Intelligence
Utilize third-party platforms for market insights and cost model framework
Leverage cost models to recommend optimal timing windows for sourcing events
Monitor and analyze commodity markets, industry trends, and supplier cost drivers
Develop and present ad-hoc market analysis to internal stakeholders
Serve as subject matter expert on category-specific commodities and cost models
Translate raw component market movements into actional net cost insights
Possess knowledge of macro-economic factors that influence market volatility
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree preferred or applicable experience in merchandising, market intelligence, and supplier negotiations
Experience
4 years of experience in merchandising preferred or equivalent combination of education and industry (food service or retail) experience
3 years of experience in market intelligence and developing leadership reporting
3 years of experience in fact-based negotiations
Requires excellent Microsoft Excel skills including lookups, pivot tables, and summarizing large data sets. Knowledge of Power Query and VBA a plus
Prior experience working with relational database management systems
Knowledge of internal systems like CDM, RME, and Workday Strategic Sourcing
Understanding of supply chain principles and dynamics
Understanding of the dynamics of supply and demand
Ability to effectively collect and use market data to provide actionable insights
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Work Environment
This position will be performed at the GSC (hybrid schedule)
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate