Switchgear Cost Specialist - UL

POSITION SUMMARY

• The SWGR Cost Specialist UL’s primary focus is to support the SWGR Cost Manager - UL to hit product cost targets through collaboration with Engineering, Procurement, and Operations to position our product costs below that of competition. Reporting to the Global Product Management Director, and following day to day guidance of the SWGR Cost Manager, this role supports the overall process of Product Cost reporting, review, and prioritized cost improvement action execution for the assigned group of products. Supporting a robust product costing program, this role will ensure that Vertiv is able to manufacture best cost-competitive products with a focus on: (1) Driving reduction in product cost, closely collaborating with Regional Strategy (quotations team), Order Engineering, R&D, Procurement, Operations, and Finance to position our products below that of our competition, and (2) Ensuring offering managers and other business stakeholders have a clear understanding of product costs and the elements of those costs including material and manufacturing costs. (3) Support reporting on R&D development projects as it pertains to cost estimates and project cost controlling. (4) Work closely with operations and procurement to ensure that the functional design building blocks are properly costed and represented in the CPQ Configuration tool. (5) Support the Cost Manager and report on list price activities and price realization associated with VCM (variable cost margin) calculations. (6) Support the Cost Manager’s activities associated with VAVE (Value Add Value Engineer) activities across the business with key stakeholders and action owners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support product cost reporting capability and cadence of review. (Continual cost & margin monitoring). Link this back to monthly VCM measures. 
• Perform cost variance reporting. Understand product cost structure, identify, and analyze quarterly variances.
• Establish product cost comparison among different manufacturing plants internally and externally, including outside purchase/manufacturing options.
• Work with product cross-functional team (notably Regional Strategy (pricing), Order Engineering, R&D, Procurement, Operations and Finance) to identify and drive product cost improvement metrics and actions.
• Coordinating the identification, reporting, and execution of VAVE (Value Analysis/Value Engineering) cost reduction projects and their financial impact.
• Reviewing and advising on target product cost as part of NPDI and throughout the lifecycle of the product.
• Report on R&D budgets including time, material and lab test time. Ensure financially that projects stay on track and under budget.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Job Qualifications: 

• Demonstratable experience in Engineering / Supply Chain or Manufacturing Operations and working with cross-functional teams to identify and execute priority actions.
• Experience in analyzing and driving improvement in data reporting with Finance and IT systems.
• Ability to deliver effective presentations of findings and recommendations by creating visual summaries of quantitative cost information. Build and continually improve dashboards to provide insight.
• Ability to drive and accept change, continuous improvement processes.
• Must have demonstratable skills with Microsoft office applications, particularly Excel. Smartsheet and Power BI experience beneficial. Oracle knowledge is a plus.
• Be curious and self-motivated for training opportunities based on job requirements and ancillary topics. Lifelong learner.

                Preferred Qualifications: 

• Comfortable working autonomously.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence work colleagues at all levels.
• Experience in introducing new processes to an existing organization.
• Proven problem-solving abilities.
• PLM Process (product lifecycle management) and launch as well as phase out products.
• Power distribution industry experience (electrical apparatus equipment 600V and below) or similar experience.
• Electrical components knowledge in the power distribution space (breakers, meters, transformers, etc.) is another nice to have but now a must.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• B.S. in Engineering or General Management preferred, equivalent experience in product engineering and manufacturing. Financial experience in the greater NEMA Electrical Manufacturing space.

PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

• No special physical requirements

TIME TRAVEL REQUIRED

• <5%

   

The successful candidate will embrace Vertiv’s Core Principals & Behaviors to help execute our Strategic Priorities.  

OUR CORE PRINCIPALS:  Safety.  Integrity. Respect.  Teamwork.  Diversity & Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• Customer Focus
• Operational Excellence
• High-Performance Culture
• Innovation
• Financial Strength

OUR BEHAVIORS

• Own It
• Act With Urgency
• Foster a Customer-First Mindset
• Think Big and Execute
• Lead by Example
• Drive Continuous Improvement
• Learn and Seek Out Development

At Vertiv, we offer the stability of a global leader in a growing industry and the opportunity of a startup. We design, manufacture and service the mission-critical infrastructure technologies for vital applications in data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial environments. With $5 billion in sales, a strong customer base and global reach in nearly 70 countries, our move to establish a standalone business enables us to deliver greater value to our customers and create new opportunities for our people.