Cost Estimator

Job Details: Job Location: HAC (Rochester Hills) - Rochester Hills, MI, Position Type: Full-Time, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Job Shift: First Shift, Founded in 1946, HI-LEX is a leading supplier of window regulators, door modules, power lift gate systems, and mechanical control cables primarily serving the automotive industry, but also the power sports, marine, construction equipment, and medical device sectors. Headquartered in Takarazuka, Japan (near Osaka), and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), HI-LEX employs more than 12,000 associates across its global footprint. 

In the Americas region, HI-LEX has grown steadily in the region, and now has ten (10) manufacturing facilities across the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. In the U.S., HI-LEX operates under three divisions: HI-LEX America in Battle Creek, Michigan; HI-LEX Controls in Hudson, Litchfield, and Hazel Park, Michigan; and Daedong HI-LEX of America in Cusseta, Alabama. The company’s automotive center is in Rochester Hills, Michigan which consists of finance, sales, engineering, testing, and program management, and will serve as the location for the Cost Estimator 
Website:  HI-LEX.com

POSITION SUMMARY:
This role coordinates, directs and leads estimating efforts to ensure optimum costing and coordination of projects and programs to ensure HI-LEX meets customer expectations and manufacturing requirements.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Works with functional departments to understand current BOM product costs, designs, specifications, manufacturing processes, and commodity market drivers
Facilitate teamwork with Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing and Sales 
Determining what factors of production will influence the cost of a service or product
Preparing cost estimates for HI-LEX products using in-house costing tool CAXIOM.
Migrating existing cost sheets from excel to CAXIOM costing format.
Creating labor estimates for any project
Compiling and recording actual costs
Presenting prepared estimates to management and other stakeholders
Capacity planning for equipment and tooling for all business opportunities.
Ability to analyze statistical information, prepare, and present the data.
Good knowledge and understanding of target cost and production cost calculations 
Very good understanding of the value-add process
Liaison to support Value Management to meet department goals and objectives.
Sound business and technical understanding of the automotive industry.
Organizes meetings with multiple departments and plant personnel.
Willingness to travel between HI-LEX facilities. 
Perform other duties as required. 
 

Qualifications: Education 

4-year degree in engineering, finance, economics or equivalent; MBA or MS degree preferred.

Functional Experience

Familiarity with analyzing requirement data to develop material and cost estimates for large projects
Expertise with analytic tools, such as spreadsheets and database managers
Ability to read and interpret technical documents
Strong customer service orientation
Exceptional time management skills
Autonomous, self-starter
Ability to facilitate and support growth of team members
Works effectively and productively with others
Analytical Thinking
Proficiency in mathematics, statistics and data analysis
Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail
Report writing and strategic planning skills
Minimum 1-3 years previous cost estimating experience, automotive industry background preferred.

Physical Requirement 

Ability to remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time usually at a desk. 
Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds 
Occasional standing, walking reaching, and bending

Core Competencies

Mathematical skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Detail oriented. Analytical thinking skills.
Strong communication skills both written and verbal  
Strong overall leadership skills/interpersonal skills
Superior planner and organizer
Holds self personally accountable