Cost Analyst

We are seeking a Finance Coordinator to join our Value Creation Program (VCP), a strategic initiative focused on identifying and developing cost-saving opportunities across our operations.

About the role

The VCP Finance Coordinator will support the B1 direct material cost (DMC) workstream, focusing on reducing DMC for current production vehicles and parts. This is a highly collaborative role within a 4-person cross-functional team comprised of a Buyer, Engineer, Cost Engineer, and Finance Coordinator. The Finance Coordinator will validate ideas, build business cases, and provide financial support for negotiations and cost-reduction strategies.

Responsibilities

• Validate commercial and technical savings ideas through comprehensive business cases
• Collaborate with the cross-functional team to size and ideate potential savings opportunities
• Build supplier fact packs and negotiation strategies to drive direct material savings
• Ensure adherence to savings governance, documentation standards, and approval requirements
• Monitor progress against internal VCP targets and communicate status to leadership
• Analyze large data sets and develop clear, actionable cost-saving recommendations

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or Business Administration with strong finance/cost analysis background
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in roles such as Finance Analyst, Cost Analyst, Purchasing Finance, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Manufacturing Finance, Automotive Finance, Cost Reduction Programs, or Business Case Development
• Proven ability to develop, validate, and defend financial business cases
• Strong analytical capability with demonstrated ability to interpret complex data across multiple systems
• High attention to detail with strong focus on data accuracy, governance, and process discipline
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional, matrixed team environments

Skills

• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, including VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, and data analysis tools
• Strong critical thinking and investigative mindset
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Creative problem-solving approach
• Solid understanding of commercial and technical savings concepts and cost-reduction methodologies

Preferred qualifications

• Master's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or Accounting
• Experience in automotive and/or manufacturing environments
• Understanding of material costs, part costs, engineering impact, and supplier cost drivers
• Experience with should-cost modeling and supplier negotiation tools
• Familiarity with make/buy studies, inbound transport costs, and transformation cost analysis

Growth & development opportunities

• Learn should-cost and other tools to understand and contest supplier quotes
• Develop supplier negotiation skills and strategies
• Gain expertise in make/buy studies, inbound transport costs, and transformation costs
• Understand the impact of take rates and vehicle volume/mix on Annual Purchase Value
• Master financial reporting for purchasing, including flow-through, carryover, and incremental analysis
• Prepare for future roles in Purchasing Finance/Ops, Value Optimization/Engineering, Product Cost Standard (PCS), Total Production Cost (TPC), Vehicle Cost Coordination, and Vehicle Cost Engineering
• Gain exposure to Senior Finance and Operations Leadership

Schedule

This is a project-based assignment expected to run 1.5-2 years, initially for one year with expectation of extension. The role is 100% onsite, Monday-Friday. In-person work arrangement is required.