Senior Manager/Manager – Cost Engineering (Plastics)

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Manager or Manager to lead cost engineering initiatives within our IT Services division, specifically focusing on the plastics manufacturing sector. This pivotal role demands a professional with 15 to 20 years of industry tenure who can drive financial efficiency and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will leverage deep expertise in plastic manufacturing processes to develop robust cost models, optimize expenditures, and guide strategic decision-making. This position is critical for maintaining competitive pricing structures and ensuring profitability across complex production environments.

Responsibilities

• Utilize extensive shop-floor experience to identify and analyze key cost drivers and overall cost structures.
• Conduct comprehensive data analysis to uncover trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for financial improvement.
• Implement automation strategies and continuous improvement methodologies to streamline cost management workflows.
• Collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders to align cost engineering goals with broader business objectives.
• Apply specialized knowledge in plastic cost engineering to manage project budgets and financial forecasts accurately.
• Develop precise cost estimation models and perform detailed cost modeling for new and existing product lines.
• Evaluate and optimize costs related to injection molding, compression molding, transfer molding, blow molding, and rotomolding processes.
• Assess and manage tooling costs to ensure value for money and long-term sustainability.
• Analyze the financial impact of various plastic materials and manufacturing techniques.
• Lead Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives to achieve significant cost optimization without compromising quality.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 to 20 years of relevant work experience in cost engineering or related fields.
• Proven hands-on experience working directly on the shop floor within the plastics industry.
• Strong analytical capabilities with a focus on cost drivers and cost structure analysis.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques to support decision-making.
• Demonstrated success in driving automation and continuous improvement projects.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Deep technical knowledge of plastic cost engineering principles and practices.
• Expertise in cost estimation and the creation of sophisticated cost models.
• In-depth understanding of various molding processes, including injection, compression, transfer, blow, and rotomolding.
• Familiarity with vacuum forming techniques and their associated cost implications.
• Skilled in tooling costing and lifecycle management.
• Comprehensive understanding of plastic materials and their manufacturing processes.
• Track record of executing VA/VE projects to drive cost optimization.