Manufacturing Cost Analyst

The manufacturing Cost Analyst is responsible for analyzing, benchmarking, and improving manufacturing costs across multiple production lines. This role acts as a key interface between production, engineering, controlling, and global lead plants to ensure cost transparency, identify cost drivers, and execute cost-reduction initiatives. The position supports both day-to-day cost monitoring and long-term cost strategy, including localization and process improvement projects.

• Review and analyze monthly group production cost reports; identify cost variances, root causes, and corrective actions.

• Perform benchmark analyses of assembly hours and fabrication costs against lead plants.

• Define cost and time deltas vs. lead plants and develop project-based action plans to close gaps.

• Define and maintain cost-per-hour targets for fabrication processes; lead initiatives to achieve target levels.

• Review manufacturing overhead (MOH) calculations monthly with Controlling; summarize key changes, drivers, and risks.

• Lead monthly cost review meetings with each lead plant to review production costs, cost measures, and project status.

• Facilitate cross-functional meetings with stakeholders responsible for cost measures and project execution.

• Support and coordinate cost-measure investigations, including data collection, analysis, and follow-up actions.

• Provide monthly or quarterly cost and project performance updates to senior leadership covering all assigned product lines.

• Support project engineers with cost analyses for localization projects, including business-case evaluations and financial impact assessments.

• Plan, manage, and execute concurrent improvement, cost-saving, and localization projects ensuring on-time delivery and realized financial benefits.

• Develop and maintain structured project plans with scope, timelines, risk analyses, and cost strategies; monitor and report progress to senior leadership.

• 1-3 years in manufacturing cost engineering, production engineering, or process improvement, preferably in sheet metal fabrication environments.

• Experience in cost benchmarking, variance analysis, and manufacturing KPI management.

• Strong project management skills; experience leading cross-site projects and stakeholder meetings.

• Advanced Excel skills (PivotTables, Power Query); SAP and Power BI experience preferred.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills; willingness to work on the shop floor and travel occasionally.