Cost Analyst

Border States

About the Role

• Supports cost management efforts with the implementation, coordination, and maintenance of cost management strategies for our open market business.
• Focuses on ensuring cost competitiveness for key product categories and vendors.
• Executes cost analysis, vendor Special Pricing Agreement (SPA) rationalization, and implementation of tiered SPA strategy.
• Identifies opportunities for cost savings and profit improvement.
• Location: Fargo, ND
• Remote work opportunity available.
• Application Deadline: November 10, 2026. Note: Position may be filled before or after the listed deadline. Applications accepted only while posting is active.
• Pay Range: $64,300 - $80,000

Key Responsibilities

• Reviews key product categories/vendors by branch, area, or region to determine cost competitiveness, ensure market relevance, and establish cost confidence with personnel.
• Engages key branch/regional personnel and company stakeholders as needed throughout category evaluations.
• Evaluates current market conditions, vendor/category alignment, and strategies.
• Understands current cost structures (SPAs, regional vs branch, backside vendor programs, etc.).
• Works with field personnel to capture local market feedback for competitive market analyses.
• Utilizes system data and analytics to gather market intelligence on pricing competitiveness.
• Presents findings and recommendations to key branch and company stakeholders and implements agreed-upon results.
• Works with vendors to negotiate pricing based on evaluation findings.
• Supports identification of cost management opportunities through analytics, market feedback, and commercial intelligence to demonstrate due diligence, actively manage costs, and ensure market relevance in pricing.
• Analyzes cost differences between different locations, regions, and customer types across the enterprise.
• Supports the identification of opportunities to negotiate better SPA costs for more customers, rationalize existing SPAs, or improve into-stock pricing.
• Utilizes market analytics and key indices (e.g., commodities) to identify opportunities for cost negotiation with vendors.
• Provides oversight and documentation of cost savings delivered through opportunity identification and market analysis.
• Adheres to the Vital Factors and Goals and Controls process.

Non-Essential Functions

• Supports communication to branches and customers to create confidence in price strategies.
• Promotes Service Excellence by sharing examples with the team and identifying/following through on new teamwork opportunities.
• Continues to grow industry/field experience through branch/customer/manufacturer visits.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• SAP materials management system
• Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint
• PC for Windows
• Internet
• Email
• Previous forecasting experience preferred.
• APICS certification or proven knowledge of MRP and supply-chain knowledge preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of SAP software preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Relevant experience in procurement, sales, marketing, pricing, costing, supply chain, or distribution is preferred.

Skills and Abilities

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

Physical Requirements

Physical activity and lifting frequencies are described as follows:

• Lift from Waist: < than 10 lbs. - Not at all; 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all; 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all; 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all; 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all; 100+ lbs. - Not at all
• Lift from Floor: < than 10 lbs. - Frequently; 10 to 25 lbs. - Frequently; 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally; 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all; 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all; 100+ lbs. - Not at all
• Carried for Distance: < than 10 lbs. - Not at all; 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all; 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all; 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all; 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all; 100+ lbs. - Not at all

Physical Activity Frequency:

• Sitting: Continuously
• Standing: 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 (wrists, hands, fingers): Continuously
• Pivoting: Occasionally
• Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally
• Grasping: Continuously
• Fingering: Continuously
• Talking: Frequently
• Driving: Occasionally
• Desk work: Continuously
• Use of a computer: Continuously
• Use of a telephone: Frequently
• Hearing: Continuously
• Exposure to adverse weather & temperature conditions: Not at all
• Travel: Occasionally