Costing & Engineering Manager

General Position Summary:

The costing manager is a critical role that is responsible for all aspect of finished goods and raw materials costing including and not limited to economic forecasting, standardization, cost mitigation, negotiation to ensure competitive, predictable sustainable cost are achieved. Lead and collaborate with cross functional teams on short- & long-term company’s margin improvement goals & initiative. This position will manage a team of finished goods and material costing specialists and engage with multiple stake holders globally.

Primary Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to the costing team, including leading, motivating, supporting, and educating the costing team to achieve business and personal career goals.

• Collaborate and support the IE team in setting, implementing, and maintaining labor cost standards through GSD methodology.

• Lead and partner with broader Liaison office teams to create, implement fact-based costing standards, to establish should cost structure for predictable, sustainable, and competitive cost for finished goods and raw materials.

• Participate in cost negotiation process with vendors and suppliers.

• Keep abreast of macro & micro economic trends in SEA region and lead the economic forecasting process, set cost guidance and expectation for the season, support global sourcing and costing strategies.

• Responsible for drafting and executing regional costing strategies that will improve costing performance, efficiency, and effectiveness through industrial engineering projects and cost improvement initiatives.

• Train and support merchandising teams and vendors in the understanding and application of cost drivers, cost frameworks, policies, and processes, including the application of consistent, accurate, and transparent cost sheets/input cost.

Secondary Functions and Responsibilities

• Secure the organization in accordance with current and future needs and challenges.

Reporting Structure:

Reports to:

- Solid line to Costing and IE director.

- Dotted line to Regional Merchandising Manager

Direct reports:

- Style costing LOM

- Costing Specialist

- Usage Specialist

- RM Costing Specialist

Interpersonal Contacts:

- Internal: Costing team, PE/FE, DC team, Global costing leadership team, Sourcing Team, Merchandisers, Quality, Production and Technical team.

- External: Vendor’s management and staff level.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in textile, industrial engineering, manufacturing, business, or economics preferred.

• 8–10 years of experience in costing, including understanding of manufacturing costs, product costs, negotiation, lean concepts, process mapping, and cost reengineering, preferably in apparel or related soft goods industry

• Strong knowledge of materials and textiles and overall manufacturing process.

• Knowledge of GSD and standardization practices is preferred.

• Knowledge of global and industry benchmarks is an added advantage.

• Requires a well-developed ability to read, write, and speak English in relation to topics of a highly complex or technical nature.

• Strong understanding of regional macro-economic trends and global cost drivers specific to the apparel industry

• Ability to lead in ambiguous situations and be able to priorities, organize, and provide focus and direction to staff.