Associate Director, Should Cost Lead

RTX

Associate Director of Should-Cost Management at RTX fostering a cost management strategy. Overseeing cost analysis and improvement initiatives across various business units with a 40% travel requirement.

Posted 7/30/2026full-timeRemote • Connecticut • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $157,200 - $298,800 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in should-cost modeling, cost engineering, and strategic sourcing, with a strong focus on developing and implementing methodologies and tools that drive cost-reduction initiatives. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver measurable financial impact through effective performance metrics and process improvements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Should-Cost ModelingCost EngineeringStrategic SourcingKPI DevelopmentLeadership Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Cost AnalysisCost-Driver AnalysisValue EngineeringBenchmarkingCost-Breakdown StructuresData AnalysisCost-Modeling ToolsPerformance MeasurementProcess ImprovementCommodity Market Dynamics

Soft Skills

Cross-Functional CommunicationTeam DevelopmentAnalytical ThinkingStrategic PlanningExecutive Presentation

Tools & Technologies

Data Analysis SoftwareProcurement PlatformsEngineering Platforms

Industry Keywords

Cost-Savings InitiativesManufacturing ProcessesCommodity CategoriesSourcing EventsSupplier Assessments

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build, hire, and develop a centralized should‑cost team supporting all commodity categories across all three SBUs.
Lead the creation and implementation of standardized should‑cost methodologies, tools, templates, and modeling practices.
Oversee the execution of should‑cost analyses to support sourcing events, negotiations, supplier assessments, and cost‑savings initiatives.
Partner with sourcing teams, engineering, finance, and business leaders to identify, shape, and support cost‑reduction opportunities across multiple categories.
Develop KPIs, dashboards, and performance metrics to evaluate the accuracy, impact, and efficiency of should‑cost deliverables.
Establish streamlined processes and workflows enabling consistent, scalable, and high‑quality support for all SBUs.
Build and maintain a comprehensive roadmap to expand should‑cost capabilities and align with long‑term cost‑management strategies.
Provide subject‑matter expertise in cost modeling, cost‑driver analysis, value engineering, and competitive benchmarking.
Review and validate cost models and analyses created by the team to ensure accuracy, reliability, and strategic relevance.
Lead cross‑functional communication efforts to drive adoption of should‑cost practices across the organization.
Stay current on industry trends, modeling techniques, manufacturing processes, and commodity market dynamics; translate insights into actionable strategies.
Prepare and deliver executive‑level summaries and recommendations based on should‑cost findings and project outcomes.
Travel up to 40% required.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience or in absence of a degree, 16 years of relevant experience.
8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, cost engineering, should‑cost modeling, or manufacturing cost analysis, with several years of leadership experience.
Experience in building should‑cost models, analyzing cost drivers, and evaluating manufacturing processes across multiple commodity types.
Proven leadership experience with the ability to hire, develop, and manage high‑performing analytical or cost‑engineering teams.
Proven understanding of cost‑breakdown structures, value engineering, benchmarking, and supplier‑cost transparency principles.
Experience supporting cost‑savings initiatives and delivering measurable financial impact in a multi‑business environment.
Experience with cost‑modeling tools, data analysis software, and relevant procurement or engineering platforms.
Experience creating KPIs, dashboards, or performance‑measurement tools to drive decision‑making and process improvement.
Experience developing, refining, and implementing enterprise‑level processes, methodologies, and roadmaps.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Parental (including paternal) leave
Flexible work schedules
Achievement awards
Educational assistance
Child/adult backup care