Director, Cost & Sustainability Engineering

About the Position

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Automotive

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career.

• Engineer audio systems and integrated technology platforms that augment the driving experience
• Combine ingenuity, in-depth research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence
• Advance in-vehicle infotainment, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment

About the Role

The Director, Cost & Sustainability Engineering defines and executes cost and sustainability engineering strategy across HARMAN's Automotive division considering all regions, business units, and customers. The created strategy is used to define overall profitability, sustainability, and growth goals for HARMAN Automotive. The role is responsible for reaching the defined goals with driving cross-functional implementation of Technical and Commercial measures in collaboration with, mainly but not exclusively, Procurement, Engineering, Customer Account Management, Manufacturing, and Suppliers. The role is also responsible for optimizing a multibillion-dollar spend and expected to deliver benchmark performance and defined sustainability goals over multiple years to enable divisional level growth results. The role reports into Best Cost Analytics in the Strategic Procurement and Partnering Function of our global Operations.

Responsibilities

• Establish the vision, goal, framework, processes, and methods needed to enable profitability, sustainability, and growth goals with highly accurate cost/CO2e modeling (TCO) across the entire HARMAN Automotive division (all products, regions, and customers).
• Establish the vision for Lifecycle Assessment of emissions (CO2e) and build capabilities to achieve carbon neutrality per HARMAN Automotive sustainability objectives.
• Define divisional profitability, sustainability goal, and execution strategy on respective areas with senior leadership of the division.
• Develop, align, and execute divisional wide strategy to assemble and enable highly effective cross-functional teams (including Procurement/Engineering/Manufacturing/Account Management), which create overarching profitability, sustainability strategies and deliver commercial and technical measures.
• Build and enroll strategy with the executive leadership team of HARMAN and suppliers to identify framework of reaching cost transparency and best cost which ensures HARMAN's overall competitiveness on the market.
• Support Make versus Buy analysis process to Controlling, Category, and Operation organization.
• Define and deliver advanced sourcing, design to cost, CO2e reduction, and manufacturing and sourcing strategy of current and new HARMAN products in close collaboration with state-of-the-art supply chain partners.
• Create and execute supplier and customer cost negotiation strategy with Procurement and Customer Account teams.
• Ensure day-to-day development and delivery of cost and CO2e models by establishing required processes and methods to drive consistent practices within the cost engineering team and reflecting industry best practices. This includes the processes necessary to keep the cost & CO2e models up to date with current information and best known methods.
• Develop synergy programs within Samsung Group to leverage scale in business.
• Lead Component Engineering effort across the Division to create component library which meets HARMAN Automotive’s long-term product strategy, profitability, sustainability, and growth.
• Build development strategy of internal teams to reach a cost-conscious mindset across all teams of Automotive division.
• Lead, coach, and develop staff through training and succession planning processes to maximize their potential for the benefit of the individual and company.

Requirements

• Minimum 15+ years of experience in Cost Engineering /Sustainability/VM/Procurement or Manufacturing/Engineering, preferably in the Automotive industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business Administration or Economy.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in cost engineering/VM/design to cost/manufacturing.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience and ability to lead diverse global teams to improve profitability, sustainability, growth, innovation, and time to market commitments.
• Proven experience with scientifical expertise in semiconductor as its related to chip, device, modem, memory device; more than 10 years in semiconductor industry.
• Proven track record of outstanding engaging skills in diverse, cross-functional teams including executive stakeholders to embrace continuous improvement in a highly competitive environment.
• Strong negotiation and relationship building skills.

Nice to Have

• Master’s degree.
• Experience with automotive electronics is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to build cross-functional collaboration models which identify and implement improvements in the area of sourcing, design, and manufacturing in automotive electronics.
• Experience in corporate level design to cost/manufacturing programs.
• Proven team player with excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Change Orientation: able to adapt to changing demands and conditions.
• German, Chinese, and/or Hungarian language skills are a plus.

We Offer

• Flexible work environment with a culture encouraging work-life integration and collaboration in a global environment.
• Access to employee discounts on world-class HARMAN/Samsung products (JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, etc.).
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.
• Work on best-in-class emerging technologies and an atmosphere that motivates you to give your best.

About the Company

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners, and each other.

If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!