[Hiring] Cost Analyst @Border States

Role Description

The Cost Analyst supports cost management efforts with the implementation, coordination, and maintenance of cost management strategies for our open market business. This includes focus on ensuring cost competitiveness for key product categories and vendors through the execution of cost analysis, vendor Special Pricing Agreement (SPA) rationalization and implementation of tiered SPA strategy, opportunity identification for cost savings and profit improvement.

Responsibilities

• Reviews key product categories/vendors by branch, area or region to determine cost competitiveness, ensure market relevance, and establish cost confidence with Border States branch personnel.
• Engages key branch/regional personnel as well as key company stakeholders as needed throughout category evaluations.
• Evaluates current market conditions, vendor/category alignment, and strategies.
• Works to understand current cost structures (SPAs, regional vs branch, backside vendor programs, etc.).
• Works with field personnel to capture local market feedback to complete competitive market analyses.
• Utilizes system data and analytics to gather market intelligence on pricing competitiveness.
• Presents findings and recommendations to key branch and company stakeholders and implement any agreed upon results.
• Works with vendors to negotiate pricing based on evaluation findings as necessary.
• Supports identification of cost management opportunities through analytics, market feedback, and commercial intelligence to demonstrate due diligence, actively managing costs, and ensuring market relevance in our pricing.
• Analyzes cost differences between different locations, regions, and customer types across the enterprise.
• Supports the identification of opportunities to negotiate better SPA costs for more customers, rationalizing existing SPA’s, or working to improve into stock pricing.
• Utilizes market analytics and key indices (e.g. commodities) to identify opportunities for cost negotiation with vendors.
• Provides oversight and documentation of cost savings delivered through opportunity identification and market analysis.
• Adheres to the Vital Factors and Goals and Controls process.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• No minimum years of prior experience required; relevant experience in procurement, sales, marketing, pricing, costing, supply chain, or distribution is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the SAP materials management system and previous forecasting experience is preferred.
• APICS certification or proven knowledge of MRP and supply-chain knowledge preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint), internet, email, and SAP software preferred.

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Highly motivated.
• Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged.

Physical Requirements

• Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day:
• Occasionally 0 – 33%
• Frequently 34 – 66%
• Continuously: 67 – 100%
• Lift from Waist:
• < 10 lbs. - Not at all
• 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
• 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
• 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
• 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
• 100+ lbs. - Not at all
• Lift from Floor:
• < 10 lbs. - Frequently
• 10 to 25 lbs. - Frequently
• 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
• 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
• 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
• 100+ lbs. - Not at all
• Physical Activity Frequency:
• Sitting - Continuously
• Standing - Frequently
• Walking - Frequently
• Bending/stooping - Occasionally
• Crawling - Not at all
• Climbing/Walking Stairs - Frequently
• Reaching - Frequently
• Crouching/squatting - Occasionally
• Kneeling - Occasionally
• Balancing - Occasionally
• Repetitive motion - Continuously
• Pivoting - Occasionally
• Pushing/Pulling - Occasionally
• Grasping - Continuously
• Fingering - Continuously
• Talking - Frequently
• Driving - Occasionally
• Desk work - Continuously
• Use of a computer - Continuously
• Use of a telephone - Frequently
• Hearing - Continuously

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
• FSA & HSA
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Disability Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Volunteer Time
• Personal Leave time and more!