Program Cost Manager

About the role

The Program Cost Manager is a senior-level individual contributor within the Sourcing organization, responsible for leading should-cost and could-cost modeling to inform sourcing strategies, supplier negotiations, and cost reduction initiatives across assigned product programs. This role serves as the primary cost subject matter expert for direct material spend to support manufacturing facilities, enabling fact-based sourcing decisions and disciplined cost management throughout the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and ownership of should-cost and could-cost models for key commodities, suppliers, and product programs, including material, labor, overhead, and process assumptions.
• Partner with Strategic Sourcing to support supplier negotiations, RFQs, and contracting activities through fact-based cost analysis and total cost of ownership assessments.
• Identify cost drivers and improvement opportunities across the supply base, supporting cost-out initiatives, productivity improvements, and margin expansion.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Operations to validate process assumptions, manufacturing routings, and design-for-cost opportunities.
• Provide cost impact analysis for total cost of ownership on sourcing decisions, supplier changes, volume shifts, and engineering changes.
• Track and report cost performance versus targets, including variance analysis and recovery actions.
• Support make-versus-buy evaluations, supplier benchmarking, and clean-sheet costing exercises.
• Act as the sourcing cost authority for assigned programs, ensuring alignment between cost models, negotiated outcomes, and financial commitments.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of costing tools, methodologies, and sourcing analytics capabilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, Business, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in sourcing, cost engineering, manufacturing finance, or related roles within an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in should-cost methodology, clean-sheet costing, and supplier cost analysis.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and operations cost structures.
• Proven ability to influence sourcing outcomes and negotiations through data-driven insights.
• Advanced analytical skills with proficiency in system-based cost modeling; ERP and sourcing system experience preferred.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex cost data into clear recommendations for senior leadership.
• Proven success in cross-functional collaborative environments.
• Periodic overnight travel of 10+% will be required.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States—sponsorship will not be provided for this role.

Skills

• Use financial analysis to generate, evaluate, and act on strategic options and opportunities.
• Drive results for yourself and others.
• Adjust communication content and style to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders.

Benefits

• Variety of medical insurance plans, including dental and vision coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee resource groups and recognition programs.
• Flexible time off plans, including paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), vacation, and holiday leave.

About Us

At Emerson, we are motivated by a spirit of collaboration that helps our diverse, multicultural teams across the world drive innovation that makes the world healthier, safer, smarter, and more sustainable. We offer equitable opportunities, celebrate diversity, and embrace challenges with confidence. Our culture prioritizes a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow through mentorship, training, and leadership opportunities. We invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact.