Cost Estimator

Cost Estimator – Automotive Service Parts Job Description The Cost Estimator plays a critical role in the automotive service parts supply chain by ensuring cost integrity and maximizing profitability through data-driven pricing strategies and should-cost models. This position combines technical manufacturing knowledge, financial and pricing expertise, and advanced data analysis skills to support low-volume automotive service environments. The role acts as a consultant to internal purchasing teams and external suppliers, justifying cost adjustments and aligning pricing decisions with broader financial goals in a dynamic global market. Responsibilities • Evaluate and validate automotive supplier part pricing, tooling, packaging, and contract requests, with a specific focus on low-volume service requirements. • Develop, maintain, and refine should-cost estimates to establish baselines for supplier negotiations and long-range financial planning. • Assess the economic impact of changes in manufacturing processes, volume fluctuations, and macroeconomic factors such as inflation, and clearly explain resulting pricing adjustments. • Analyze large, complex, and sometimes incomplete data sets to identify trends, establish facts, and draw actionable conclusions that support pricing and cost decisions. • Present, explain, and defend cost changes and pricing recommendations to internal and external stakeholders with potentially competing agendas, ensuring transparency and alignment with financial objectives. • Data mine public indices, including steel, plastic, and labor indices, to anticipate market shifts and assess their impact on the supply base and overall cost structure. • Collaborate closely with purchasing, finance, and other cross-functional teams to ensure cost estimates and pricing strategies support broader business goals. • Use tools such as Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and SAP (if available) to build, maintain, and communicate cost models, reports, and dashboards. • Provide data-driven recommendations and solutions based on analytical findings, supporting continuous improvement in cost management and pricing strategies. • Travel occasionally to supplier sites or manufacturing facilities to gather cost-related information, validate assumptions, and strengthen supplier relationships. Essential Skills • Proven experience in cost estimating, pricing analysis, and cost analysis, with multiple years of hands-on responsibility in these areas. • Completed bachelor’s degree in a related field such as finance, accounting, engineering, supply chain, economics, or a similar discipline. • 5+ years of experience in data analysis, including interpreting complex data sets and providing clear recommendations and solutions based on findings. • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel for advanced data analysis, modeling, and reporting. • Experience with data analysis and business intelligence tools, including Power BI or similar platforms. • Demonstrated ability to perform detailed cost analysis and cost estimation in a manufacturing or product-based environment. • Ability to evaluate supplier pricing and cost structures for parts, tooling, packaging, and contracts. • Strong financial acumen, including understanding of pricing strategies, profitability, and cost drivers. • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work with incomplete or imperfect data and still draw sound conclusions. • Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain and defend cost and pricing decisions to diverse stakeholders. • Motivated, self-starting mindset with long-term career aspirations and an interest in taking on greater responsibility over time. Additional Skills & Qualifications • Experience with SAP or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. • Background in automotive cost analysis, particularly in service parts or low-volume environments. • Exposure to or understanding of manufacturing environments and commodities, including how materials, processes, and volumes influence cost. • Experience in roles such as Pricing Analyst, Cost Estimator, or Data Analyst within manufacturing, automotive, or related industries. • Familiarity with public commodity indices such as steel, plastics, and labor indices and how they affect supplier pricing. • Strong interest in continuous improvement and in developing more efficient, data-driven cost estimation and pricing methodologies. • Career-minded approach with a desire to grow within a team-oriented, values-driven organization. Work Environment The role operates within an open-concept office environment where the broader purchasing team sits on the same floor, promoting collaboration and frequent interaction. The primary work schedule typically follows either an 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. shift, with a required one-hour unpaid lunch break. The position is currently structured as onsite Monday through Thursday with a work-from-home day on Friday; however, this arrangement may change to five days onsite based on leadership direction. The building includes on-site amenities such as a cafeteria, and additional lunch options are available within walking distance. Dress code is business casual, with khakis or dress pants and a button-down shirt or blouse considered appropriate. The culture emphasizes a family- and team-oriented atmosphere, with core values centered on putting people first, doing the right thing, encouraging curiosity, building for the future, maintaining a strong and resilient brand, playing to win, and operating as one unified organization. Occasional travel to supplier sites or manufacturing facilities is required to support cost analysis and validation activities. The role offers a structured vacation program, with an allocation that renews on the anniversary date and is available for use with appropriate discretion, as well as a set number of paid holidays available after an initial employment period. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Dearborn, MI. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $55.00/hr. Requirements Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Dearborn,MI. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on May 20, 2026. About Aston Carter Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.