The Production Cost Engineer 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.
Cost Analysis, Benchmarking & Target Setting

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.

Stakeholder Coordination & Reporting

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.

Project Engineering Support & Project Management

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.

Experience

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.

Education
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Administration (operations focus), or equivalent.

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