Cost Analyst

Overview

This position supports cost management efforts through the implementation, coordination, and maintenance of cost management strategies for an open market business. Focus areas include ensuring cost competitiveness for key product categories and vendors through cost analysis, vendor Special Pricing Agreement (SPA) rationalization and implementation of a tiered SPA strategy, and identifying opportunities for cost savings and profit improvement.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Review key product categories/vendors by branch, area, or region to determine cost competitiveness, ensure market relevance, and establish cost confidence with branch personnel.
• Engage key branch/regional personnel and other internal stakeholders as needed throughout category evaluations.
• Evaluate current market conditions, vendor/category alignment, and associated strategies.
• Understand current cost structures (including SPAs, regional vs. branch, backside vendor programs, and related programs).
• Partner with field personnel to gather local market feedback to complete competitive market analyses.
• Use system data and analytics to gather market intelligence on pricing competitiveness.
• Present findings and recommendations to branch and internal stakeholders and support implementation of agreed-upon results.
• Work with vendors to negotiate pricing based on evaluation findings when needed.
• Support identification of cost management opportunities using analytics, market feedback, and commercial intelligence; demonstrate due diligence through active cost management and ensuring pricing remains market-relevant.
• Analyze cost differences across locations, regions, and customer types throughout the enterprise.
• Support identification of opportunities to negotiate better SPA costs for more customers, rationalize existing SPAs, or improve into stock pricing.
• Use market analytics and key indices (e.g., commodities) to identify opportunities for cost negotiation with vendors.
• Provide oversight and documentation of cost savings delivered through opportunity identification and market analysis.
• Adhere to the Vital Factors and Goals and Controls process.

Non-Essential Functions

• Support communication to branches and customers to build confidence in price strategies.
• Promote Service Excellence by sharing examples with the team while identifying and following through on new opportunities for teamwork.
• Continue building industry/field experience through different branch/customer/manufacturer visits throughout the year.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• No minimum years of prior experience required; relevant experience in procurement, sales, marketing, pricing, costing, supply chain, or distribution is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of SAP materials management system and previous forecasting experience preferred.
• APICS certification or proven knowledge of MRP and supply-chain knowledge preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of PC for Windows and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint), internet, email, and SAP software preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Highly motivated.
• Excellent customer service skills, including being competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged.

Physical Requirements

• Carry/Lift (typical day):
  • Waist: < 10 lbs, 10–25 lbs, 26–50 lbs, 51–75 lbs, 75–100 lbs, and 100+ lbs: Not at all
  • Floor: < 10 lbs: Frequently; 10–25 lbs: Frequently; 26–50 lbs: Occasionally; 51–75 lbs: Not at all; 75–100 lbs: Not at all; 100+ lbs: Not at all
  • Carried for distance: < 10 lbs, 10–25 lbs, 26–50 lbs, 51–75 lbs, 75–100 lbs, and 100+ lbs: Not at all

Physical Activity

In a typical day, expected frequency includes:

• Sitting (continuous): Continuously
• Standing (sustained): Frequently
• Walking: Frequently
• Bending/stooping: Occasionally
• Crawling: Not at all
• Climbing/Walking stairs: Frequently
• Reaching: Frequently
• Crouching/squatting: Occasionally
• Kneeling: Occasionally
• Balancing: Occasionally
• Repetitive motion (hands/wrists/fingers): Continuously
• Pivoting: Occasionally
• Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally
• Grasping: Continuously
• Fingering (typing/pinching): Continuously
• Talking: Frequently
• Driving: Occasionally
• Desk work: Continuously
• Use of computer: Continuously
• Use of telephone: Frequently
• Hearing: Continuously
• Exposure to adverse weather & temperature conditions: Not at all
• Travel: Occasionally

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Range

• $64,300 - $80,000

Individual compensation is determined based on job-related skills and qualifications, education, relevant experience, work location, internal equity considerations, and overall responsibilities.

Benefits and Other Information

• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity
• FSA & HSA
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Disability benefits
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Paid holidays
• Paid volunteer time
• Personal leave time
• Bonuses to employee-owners upon achievement of branch and company goals

Location

• Fargo, ND
• Remote work opportunity

Application Information

• Application Deadline: November 10, 2026
• Please note the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline.
• Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active.

Additional Information

• This job description summarizes duties and responsibilities and is subject to change at the employer’s discretion.
• Employees must be able to perform essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of one or more pre-employment screenings, which may include:
  • Criminal background check (required for all positions)
  • Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving)
  • Drug testing

Equal Opportunity

An equal opportunity employer. Drug free/smoke free workplace.