Client
The company is based in the Dordrecht area and develops electronic consumer products such as laptop and gaming accessories and electronics for use in and around the home, supplying these worldwide. The company has approximately 300 employees and a second branch in China (Shenzhen), which mainly focuses on sourcing and purchasing activities. The company is strongly committed to operating in a sustainable manner.
The market for IT-related accessories is competitive and has a high turnover rate with relatively low margins. The company usually develops its products in-house, yet it outsources production to third parties.
Position
In this new position as Cost Engineer, you will report directly to the Director of Supply Chain and Operations and work closely with the R&D, Sourcing and Procurement departments.
- R&D is based both in the Dordrecht area and in China, comprises 10 engineers and reports to the R&D director.
- Sourcing is based in China, has 4 employees, is involved in supply market research and finding new suppliers, and reports to the R&D director.
- Procurement is based in China, has 8 employees, is the department that selects and contracts suppliers and manages relationships with them, and reports to the Director of Supply Chain and Operations.
Your role is essential in simplifying product design, preferably already in the development phase, and in providing purchasers with all the input they need to negotiate product prices effectively.
Simplifying product design means that you will have to challenge the R&D engineers. You will also focus on the BOM (Bill of Material) by searching for opportunities for smarter purchasing, monitoring raw material prices and providing analyses of purchasing price developments. You will provide Procurement with all the input needed to effectively negotiate product prices. To this end, you will also conduct supply market research, work on early supplier involvement in the form of design-in or cost-reduction workshops, develop cost models to monitor the target cost, and ensure that these become the internal standard.
You will also closely monitor the effect of your initiatives on product quality. Finally, you will focus on opportunities to reduce packaging and production costs.
You will be required to report and present your findings in detail to your stakeholders: R&D, Sourcing, Procurement and your manager. You will produce a monthly report on cost price developments for the most relevant raw materials.
This role will involve limited travel.
Your profile
- At least a BSc in a technical field
- Able to interpret electrical/electronic diagrams well, experience with electronic components (chipsets, PCBs, etc.)
- Experience in a manufacturing and R&D environment
- Commercial awareness
- Strong communicator, analytical and team player
- Good at dealing with other (Asian) cultures
- You command English well
Offer
- Salary up to approx. €75K
- 25+4 holidays per year
- Bonus scheme max. 1.38 months’ salary depending on company and personal performance
- Pension contribution for 2/3 (10%) paid by employer
- Full-time position, min. 3 days/week working at the office
- You live in the Netherlands and have a work permit for the Netherlands.
