Chief Technology Officer

Consultant - Cost Technical Optimization Manager About our customer: Our client is a global provider of electrical distribution systems that support the next generation of electrified, automated and connected technologies. Its solutions serve demanding industries, including automotive, robotics and energy, where performance, reliability and cost competitiveness are critical. Operating as an independent organisation, the company combines extensive engineering expertise with the agility to respond quickly to evolving customer needs. With a strong focus on innovation, collaboration and operational excellence, it is committed to delivering high-quality solutions while reducing unnecessary cost, weight and complexity. The organisation offers an environment where technical expertise, commercial thinking and entrepreneurial initiative come together to create measurable business impact. The role: As Cost Technical Optimization Manager, you will lead the global strategy and execution of technical cost optimisation across the electrical distribution systems (EDS) product portfolio. Your primary objective will be to identify, evaluate and implement engineering-led cost reduction opportunities throughout the product lifecycle, improving product competitiveness and profitability without compromising quality, performance or reliability. Working closely with Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Commercial, Program Management and external customers, you will translate technical opportunities into sustainable material cost reductions, improved margins and increased operating income. You will also establish the global processes, governance and collaboration needed to embed cost optimisation into the organisation's way of working. Duties:

• Lead and manage the global technical cost optimisation (CTO) pipeline, including opportunity identification, prioritisation, savings tracking and financial validation.
• Establish annual targets for material cost reduction, labour cost improvement and product margin expansion.
• Monitor and report CTO performance, realised savings, business cases and return on investment to senior management.
• Collaborate directly with OEM customers and strategic suppliers to identify, develop and implement mutually beneficial cost optimisation initiatives.
• Support commercial negotiations through technical cost analysis, should-cost assessments, business cases and alternative engineering solutions.
• Drive competitive benchmarking, product teardowns, value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE) and technology scouting to identify opportunities for improved product cost competitiveness.
• Evaluate emerging materials, manufacturing processes, technologies and industry developments that could create opportunities for cost reduction and product improvement.
• Coordinate cross-functional cost optimisation workshops and ensure that identified opportunities are translated into practical solutions within ongoing and future programmes.
• Drive operating income improvement throughout the product lifecycle, from initial RFQ and product development through serial production and end-of-production.
• Develop and lead a global network of CTO specialists and regional margin improvement leaders, encouraging knowledge sharing and consistent execution across the organisation.
• Establish global standards, methodologies, governance processes and reporting frameworks to ensure a structured and measurable approach to cost optimisation.
• Allocate and coordinate resources across multiple simultaneous activities, including product teardowns, engineering workshops and cost improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching to engineering project leaders, supporting the selection of cost-effective design solutions while maintaining product requirements and customer expectations.

About you:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• Extensive knowledge of automotive electrical distribution systems, particularly wiring harness architecture, routing strategies, connectors, terminals, protection components, fastening solutions and associated manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE), should-cost analysis and product cost modelling.
• Experience with both high-voltage and low-voltage electrical distribution systems is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated success in leading technical cost reduction initiatives and delivering measurable, sustainable improvements in product profitability and operating income.
• Strong understanding of automotive business processes, programme lifecycles and the specific technical and commercial requirements of the EDS industry.
• In-depth knowledge of EDS technologies, materials, manufacturing methods and competitive technical solutions.
• At least 10 years of engineering leadership experience within the electrical distribution systems industry.
• Practical wiring harness application and product development experience, with the ability to evaluate and challenge technical design decisions.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously, prioritise effectively and deliver results with limited supervision.
• Strong analytical, commercial and financial capabilities, with the ability to translate technical opportunities into quantified business benefits.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to engage engineering specialists, senior executives, customers and suppliers.
• High energy, a strong results orientation and a competitive mindset, with a clear focus on improving product competitiveness and securing new business.
• Willingness to travel internationally, approximately 40% of the time.
• Fluency in English.

Outcomes:

• Make a measurable impact. Lead initiatives that directly influence product competitiveness, profitability and the performance of a global engineering organisation.
• Shape the future of electrification. Contribute to technologies supporting increasingly electrified, automated and connected products.
• Work across a global organisation. Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing and commercial teams across markets, developing solutions that deliver value at scale.
• Take ownership and drive change. Work in an environment that values initiative, technical excellence, pragmatic thinking and accountability for results.
• Develop your expertise. Access opportunities to expand your capabilities, influence global practices and contribute to continuous innovation.