Manager, Engineering, Manufacturing Excellence

Job description

The Costing Engineering Manager in Material Costing Intelligence (MCI) is part of the Product Supply Enablement (PSE) function at VF Corporation. Based in Vietnam, this role leads a team responsible for building and governing product cost engineering / non-BOM benchmarks across apparel, footwear, and equipment categories. The role partners closely with sourcing, costing, product development and factory partners to strengthen pre-costing, improve cost transparency and deliver cost-saving initiatives. This position provides both strategic and operational leadership in product cost engineering, costing framework governance, in-factory line effectiveness negotiations, and team capability building. The successful candidate brings people leadership, deep technical understanding of product construction and manufacturing cost drivers, and the ability to influence decisions with management-level stakeholders through clear, fact-based communication. Key Result Areas Product Cost Engineering Working closely with sourcing teams, align and set product cost engineering / non-BOM cost benchmarks across apparel, footwear, and equipment categories, ensuring consistent and accurate , cost estimates focused on product construction and manufacturing process Manage and coach a team of Costing Engineers, setting priorities, building technical capability, and ensuring strong execution against team goals and business needs Drive continuous improvement of cost estimation tools such as manufacturing process validation templates, product cost engineering matrices, and granular standard minute value calculat ors to support scalable and accurate cost assessment Oversee in-factory analysis o n productivity and process cost drivers to validate cost expectations with the intention to influence design decisions, and savings opportunities. Costing Frameworks, Systems & Data Governance Own governance of product cost engineering matrices based on minute rate cards and other costing related features ( e.g. yields) Lead cross-functional efforts with internal and external stakeholders to integrate product cost engineering matrices into day to day workflow across product development Drive the development of granular cost competitiveness KPIs for vendors , i ntegrati ng into sourcing and allocation decisions Ensure consistency, standardization, and adoption of product cost engineering methodologies across factor y partners while identifying opportunities to simplify and improve ways of working. Cross-Functional Partnership & Project Support Work closely with costing and sourcing development teams to align cost engineering priorities with category strategies , brand product road map and seasonal business needs. Prepare and deliver clear management updates that translate technical costing analysis into business implications, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions. Lead pilot projects and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen VF’s costing capabilities, scale best practices, and support “One VF” ways of working. Behavioral Competencies Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate a high-performing team Strong collaboration skills and high EQ in working across functions, cultures, and external partners Strong verbal and written communication skills in English & Chinese (Advantageous) , with the ability to simplify complex technical costing topics for non-technical and leadership audiences Strategic, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset with strong commercial judgment Comfortable leading through ambiguity while managing multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines Willingness to challenge assumptions, influence decisions, and recommend practical improvements that drive business impact What we will be looking for in you : 5 + years of experience in costing, industrial engineering, production, sourcing, procurement, operations, manufacturing, or a related field, with demonstrated progression into team leadership or manager-level responsibilities Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing / Operations, or another quantitative / STEM-related field Strong understanding of product construction in at least one product line ( E.g. Apparel, Footwear or Equipment) , manufacturing processes, and cost drivers across apparel, footwear, and equipment Strong knowledge of workflow study, SMV concepts, cost breakdowns, and factory costing processes Proven experience leading cross-functional projects, influencing sourcing and development partners, and driving cost savings initiatives Strong Excel capability; proficiency in PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office tools required Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable insights and management recommendations Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence working with suppliers, factory partners, and senior cross-functional teams VF Diversity Vision Statement : VF is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success and growth of VF is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout VF around the world. VF is an equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled. VF is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our VF associates and VF applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor. R-20260528-0042