Head of Sourcing Cost Engineering & Optimization

Company: International Retail Group
Function: Global Sourcing
Reporting to: General Manager

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced sourcing cost management leader to establish and strengthen cost engineering methodologies across a diverse portfolio of retail products.

This is a strategic role within an international retailer's sourcing organization, working closely with sourcing teams, suppliers and European headquarters to improve cost transparency, strengthen commercial negotiations and drive sustainable purchasing cost optimization.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical costing expertise with commercial acumen and the ability to challenge and influence senior sourcing stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Cost Engineering & Should-Cost Modelling

• Develop and standardize cost analysis methodologies across multiple product categories.
• Build detailed cost breakdown models covering raw materials, components, labor, manufacturing processes and overheads.
• Monitor commodity price indices and market trends to identify cost fluctuations and opportunities for price reviews.
• Establish cost benchmarks and deviation thresholds to evaluate supplier quotations.

2. Sourcing Governance & Commercial Negotiation

• Act as an independent cost expert within the global sourcing tender process.
• Challenge supplier quotations and support sourcing teams with fact-based negotiation strategies.
• Develop costing analyses and negotiation briefs for European stakeholders and management committees.
• Validate negotiation outcomes and ensure competitive supplier pricing.
• Drive cross-costing exercises involving at least five suppliers per tender.

3. Cross-Category Cost Optimization

• Identify cost reduction opportunities across different product categories.
• Work closely with sourcing teams and suppliers to improve cost competitiveness.
• Translate cost analysis into actionable recommendations for purchasing decisions.
• Support the development of the company's Core Range Sourcing strategy by analyzing the revenue contribution and performance of established products.

4. Stakeholder Management

• Partner with sourcing leaders across categories to implement consistent costing methodologies.
• Provide financial and commercial insights to support negotiations with European headquarters.
• Challenge existing sourcing practices and promote data-driven decision-making.
• Share costing expertise and coach cross-functional stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in Cost Engineering, Should-Cost Modelling, Strategic Sourcing, Industrial Purchasing or Commercial Costing.
• Background in international retail, global sourcing offices, multinational manufacturing or large trading companies.
• Strong understanding of product cost structures, supplier manufacturing processes and commodity markets.
• Demonstrated experience in supplier cost breakdown, quotation analysis and commercial negotiations.
• Ability to work across multiple product categories and influence senior sourcing stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent English.

What Makes This Role Different

This is not a traditional finance costing position or a conventional sourcing role.

The position sits at the intersection of cost engineering, strategic sourcing and commercial negotiation, with a mandate to establish a consistent, fact-based approach to supplier cost management across the sourcing organization.