Cost Estimator

Ford Ford · Auto · Dearborn, MI +1 · Marketing & Sales

The Cost Estimator role at Ford focuses on ensuring cost integrity and maximizing profitability in the service parts supply chain by developing data-driven pricing strategies and "should-cost" models. This involves analyzing supplier pricing, tooling, packaging, and contract requests, assessing economic impacts of various factors, and performing data analytics on complex datasets. The role requires strong manufacturing knowledge, analytical rigor, and excellent communication skills to present and defend cost changes to stakeholders. It is a product-focused role within the industrial domain, primarily dealing with data analysis and modeling for pricing and cost estimation.

What you'd actually do

  1. Cost Analysis & Validation: Evaluate the validity of automotive supplier part pricing, tooling, packaging, and contract requests, specifically tailored to low-volume service requirements.
  2. Should-Cost Modeling: Develop and maintain "should-cost" estimates to provide a baseline for negotiations and financial planning.
  3. Economic Impact Assessment: Calculate and explain pricing adjustments resulting from changes in manufacturing processes, volume fluctuations, and macroeconomic factors like inflation.
  4. Data Analytics: Analyze large, complex, and sometimes incomplete data sets to extrapolate trends, establish facts, and draw actionable conclusions.
  5. Stakeholder Management: Present and defend cost changes to internal and external stakeholders who may have competing agendas, ensuring transparency and alignment with Ford’s financial goals.

Skills

Required

  • Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (data modeling, pivot tables)
  • Advanced skills in PowerPoint
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints
  • Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Engineering, Technology, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in pricing, cost estimating, or financial analysis.

Nice to have

  • Familiarity with corporate purchasing systems (e.g., SAP/Aurora)
  • Master of Science or Master of Arts in Engineering, Technology, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
  • Direct experience in a manufacturing environment

What the JD emphasized

  • low-volume service requirements
  • low-volume service
  • cost integrity
  • profitability
  • should-cost models