Ford Motor Company

Cost Estimator

Ford Motor Company$86K — $166K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in pricing or cost estimating in a manufacturing environment.
  • Familiarity with corporate purchasing systems like SAP/Aurora is a plus.
  • Willingness to travel occasionally to supplier sites or manufacturing facilities.
  • Advanced educational qualifications (Master's) in relevant fields are preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Evaluate supplier part pricing and tooling requests for low-volume service.
  • Develop 'should-cost' estimates for baseline negotiations.
  • Calculate pricing adjustments due to manufacturing changes and macroeconomic factors.
  • Analyze complex data sets to identify trends and derive actionable insights.
  • Present cost change justifications to varied stakeholders, ensuring alignment.
  • Mine public indexes to anticipate market shifts affecting the supply base.
  • Understand manufacturing processes and their cost implications.

Benefits

  • Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
  • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, and subsidized back-up childcare.
  • Family building benefits including adoption reimbursement and fertility treatments.
  • Employee vehicle discount program and management leases.
  • Tuition assistance for further education and skills development.
  • Active employee resource groups supporting diversity and inclusion.
  • Paid time off for community service and a generous holiday schedule.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Cost Estimator

As a Pricing Analyst/Cost Estimator within FCSD, you will be a critical link in Ford's service parts supply chain. You will be responsible for ensuring cost integrity and maximizing profitability by developing data-driven pricing strategies and "should-cost" models. This role requires a unique blend of technical manufacturing knowledge, financial acumen, and the ability to navigate the complexities of low-volume automotive service environments. You will act as a consultant to both internal purchasing teams and external suppliers to justify cost adjustments in an evolving global market.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...
  • Cost Analysis & Validation: Evaluate the validity of automotive supplier part pricing, tooling, packaging, and contract requests, specifically tailored to low-volume service requirements.
  • Should-Cost Modeling: Develop and maintain "should-cost" estimates to provide a baseline for negotiations and financial planning.
  • Economic Impact Assessment: Calculate and explain pricing adjustments resulting from changes in manufacturing processes, volume fluctuations, and macroeconomic factors like inflation.
  • Data Analytics: Analyze large, complex, and sometimes incomplete data sets to extrapolate trends, establish facts, and draw actionable conclusions.
  • Stakeholder Management: Present and defend cost changes to internal and external stakeholders who may have competing agendas, ensuring transparency and alignment with Ford's financial goals.
  • Market Intelligence: Data mine public indexes (e.g., steel, plastic, labor indices) to anticipate market shifts and their impact on the supply base.
  • Manufacturing Knowledge: Foundational understanding of manufacturing processes, including stamping, machining, injection molding, casting, and assembly.
  • Volume Sensitivity: Ability to analyze how the transition from high-volume production to low-volume service impacts unit costs and overhead absorption.
  • Analytical Rigor: Strong ability to define problems, collect relevant data, and establish valid conclusions in "grey space" environments with minimal direction.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate technical cost data into clear business narratives.
  • Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (data modeling, pivot tables) and PowerPoint. Ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints.


Qualifications

You'll have...
  • Education: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Engineering, Technology, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
  • Experience: 5+ years of experience in pricing, cost estimating, or financial analysis. Direct experience in a manufacturing environment is highly preferred.
  • Systems: Familiarity with corporate purchasing systems (e.g., SAP/Aurora) is a plus.
  • Travel: Ability to travel occasionally to supplier sites or manufacturing facilities.


Even better, you may have...
  • Education: Master of Science or Master of Arts in Engineering, Technology, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
  • Career Mindset: A self-starter with management aspirations and a willingness to rotate through Purchasing or other functional areas to gain a holistic view of the business.


You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above?

No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
  • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
  • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
  • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
  • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
  • Tuition assistance
  • Established and active employee resource groups
  • Paid time off for individual and team community service
  • A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
  • Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.


For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $86,600-$144,900.

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$166,200.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-MH4

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company manufactures or distributes automobiles in addition to offering financial services. The company sells to dealerships for retail sales, and for sale to fleet customers, including commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. Ford’s vehicle portfolio includes automobiles, buses, tractors, and trucks. Retail financing includes retail installment sale contracts for new and used vehicles, and direct financing leases for new vehicles to retail customers, government entities, daily rental car companies, and fleet customers. Finance receivables in the non-consumer portfolio include products offered to automotive dealers. Ford’s environmental initiatives include compressed natural gas, flexible fuel vehicles, electric drive vehicles, Hydrogen, PC power management, and so on. Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903 and is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford Motor Company Careers

Join the dynamic team at Ford Motor Company, a global leader in automotive innovation and manufacturing. At Ford, we are committed to driving human progress by providing outstanding vehicles and mobility solutions. This is an exciting time to become part of our inclusive team, where job opportunities abound and growth is not just a possibility, but a promise.

Work You’ll Do

At Ford Motor Company, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our professionals are at the forefront of automotive technology, leading projects that redefine transportation and sustainability. With a culture rooted in continuous improvement and respect for all, Ford offers a workplace where leadership, diversity training, and innovation are part of everyday life.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

Ford’s commitment to excellence is why we are a leader in the automotive sector. We offer a variety of career paths, from engineering to marketing, all designed to foster professional and personal growth. Our team benefits from Ford’s commitment to professional development and networking opportunities, ensuring that every team member can reach their full potential.

Innovative Work

Engage in work that makes a difference. Ford Motor Company is pioneering developments in electrification, autonomous vehicles, and smart mobility solutions. Our team of over 190,000 employees worldwide is dedicated to crafting experiences that improve the way the world moves.

Be Part of a Great Team

Working at Ford means more than just having a job; it means being part of a global family. Our culture promotes teamwork, integrity, and respect—values that underpin everything we do. We believe in nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment where every employee can thrive.

Future-Proof Your Career

Ford Motor Company is not just a great place to work; it’s a place to build a lasting career. Our employees enjoy competitive benefits, comprehensive health care, and retirement plans that rank among the best in the industry. We support career advancement through extensive training programs and hands-on experience in the latest automotive technologies.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a student interested in an internship, Ford has opportunities that will harness your skills and ignite your ambition. Our hiring process is straightforward and respectful, designed to match your skills and passions with the right position.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Ready to start your journey with Ford? Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that’s building the future of transportation.

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Learn more about Ford Motor Company
Size
183,000 employees
Market Cap
$44.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$1.2 billion
Founded
1903
5 Year Trend
-2.1%
Revenue
$127.1 billion
NASDAQ

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