Mechanical Category Cost Specialist

Work Schedule Standard (Mon-Fri) Environmental Conditions Office Job Description As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, youu2019ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the worldu2019s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer. DESCRIPTION: Join our team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, where you'll implement strategic procurement initiatives that make a meaningful impact on global healthcare, research, and environmental protection. As a Category Cost Specialist, you'll develop complex category strategies and collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize supply chain performance, reduce costs, and ensure continuous improvement. You'll leverage your expertise to develop and execute effective sourcing solutions while building strong supplier relationships that advance our mission of making the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. LOCATION: This is a fully onsite position based at one of three sites. Site Options: Morrisville, NC; Pittsburgh, PA; or Austin, TX - Unfortunately, relocation assistance is NOT provided. + Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future. + Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screen. The Mechanical Category Cost Specialist is responsible for driving cost transparency, cost modeling excellence, and negotiation readiness across the assigned category. This role leads cost analysis initiatives, interacts directly with suppliers to drive cost improvements, and partners with category leaders to support strategic sourcing decisions. The Category Cost Lead Manager provides structured reporting to the CMVA team and ensures alignment with global procurement standards and category strategies. ________________________________________ Key Responsibilities Cost Strategy & Execution u2022 Lead the development and execution of cost modeling strategies across the category. u2022 Conduct detailed cost breakdowns, benchmarks, and total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses. u2022 Identify cost drivers and improvement levers to support sourcing decisions. Supplier Engagement for Cost Improvements u2022 Engage directly with suppliers to review cost structures, challenge assumptions, and identify cost-reduction opportunities. u2022 Lead supplier cost workshops and technical reviews to drive transparency and value engineering initiatives. u2022 Collaborate with suppliers on alternative materials, processes, and continuous improvement opportunities. Negotiation Support & Leadership u2022 Provide fact-based cost insights to strengthen negotiation strategies. u2022 Build negotiation frameworks and scenarios based on cost models and market intelligence. u2022 Participate in supplier negotiations with a focus on cost elements and value-engineering opportunities. Cost Modeling & Analytics u2022 Develop, validate, and maintain advanced cost models for key commodities and components. u2022 Analyze supplier cost drivers, challenge cost submissions, and identify savings opportunities. u2022 Present cost analytics and recommendations to category leadership and stakeholders. SPCI / CMVA Governance, Direction & Collaboration + Support CMVA projects and workshops by supplying necessary cost data and category analytics through the lifecycle of the projects. + Ensure CMVA focus areas and deliverables accelerate category objectives, support upcoming negotiations, supplier segmentation decisions, and/or strategic initiatives + Challenge and validate CMVA analytical methods, assumptions, and outputs to ensure accuracy, objectivity, and alignment with procurementu2019s business requirements + Partner with Category Managers to ensure CMVA contributions pull through to enable and support larger scale supplier negotiations + Support the development of dashboards, insights, and governance materials. Cross-Functional Support u2022 Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Business Units on cost expectations and improvement initiatives. u2022 Maintain strong interactions with CMVA (Cost, Value & Manufacturing Analytics), NPI (New Product Introduction), and DPP teams to support cost modeling, product development, and design optimization on specific products. u2022 Serve as the technical cost subject-matter expert within the category and support key project reviews. u2022 Ensure adherence to Thermo Fisher procurement policies, compliance standards, and sustainability initiatives. ________________________________________ Minimum Requirements / Qualifications u2022 Advanced Degree plus 6 years of experience, or Bachelor's Degree plus 8 years of experience in procurement/sourcing cost engineering, procurement analytics, or category management. in large multinational organizations u2022 Preferred Fields of Study: Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field u2022 Demonstrated technical expertise relevant to the category (manufacturing processes, component design, materials, cost drivers). u2022 Demonstrated expertise in strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier relationship management u2022 Strong experience in cost modeling, cost analysis, and financial modeling. u2022 Proven ability to engage suppliers and drive cost-improvement and technical discussions. u2022 Proficiency in procurement and analytical tools, ERP systems, spend analytics, and e-sourcing platforms u2022 Excellent communication and stakeholder-influencing skills. u2022 CPSM, CPIM, or equivalent procurement certification preferred u2022 Strong analytical and financial acumen with ability to develop business cases and drive cost savings u2022 Project management capabilities and experience managing complex, global initiatives u2022 Proven negotiation skills and ability to influence in matrix environment u2022 Advanced proficiency in MS Office suite, particularly Excel, PowerPoint and project management tools u2022 Experience in life sciences, biotech, pharmaceutical or regulated industries preferred u2022 Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) u2022 Travel 10-50% as required by role u2022 Fluency in English required; additional languages beneficial ________________________________________ Knowledge, Skills & Abilities u2022 Strong analytical mindset and attention to detail. u2022 Technical expertise to understand and challenge supplier manufacturing processes, cost drivers, and design impacts. + Strong understanding of mechanical component and sub-assembly manufacturing processes, including machining, molding, forming, welding, and assembly operations. + Knowledge of mechanical materials and cost drivers, including labor, machine rates, tooling, yields, scrap, and overhead allocation. + Experience with costing and analyzing mechanical and electromechanical sub-assemblies, including assembly labor, testing, and integration complexity. u2022 Ability to lead cost-focused and technical conversations with suppliers and internal engineering teams & ability to apply should-cost, clean-sheet modeling, DFM/DFA, and value engineering principles to identify cost-reduction opportunities. u2022 Strong business and financial acumen. Understanding of make-versus-buy decisions, total cost of ownership, and global supply base dynamics for mechanical and electromechanical categories. u2022 Effective collaboration across global, matrixed teams. Strong collaboration with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and CMVA teams to align cost models with design intent and production realities. u2022 Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. u2022 High accountability, ownership, and results orientation. ________________________________________ Leadership Competencies u2022 Customer Focus u2022 Collaboration & Teamwork u2022 Business Acumen u2022 Drive for Results u2022 Decision Quality u2022 Negotiation Courage u2022 Continuous Improvement Mindset u2022 Regulatory complianceThermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Created: 2026-05-02