Senior Cost Engineer

Brilliant Planet is seeking a Senior Cost Engineer to lead the process of optimising our total facility construction costs. You will sit at the intersection of our engineering design teams, project management office, procurement staff and strategy team. You will use your expertise to manage the balance between facility operational flexibility, technical capability, value for money and commercial goals. This will require you to get into the details of major capex spend areas to seek opportunities for design-driven cost savings, procurement-driven cost savings, determine global procurement strategies and build a cost optimisation culture and systems.

The day-to-day nature of the role has aspects of both engineering design, technical procurement and quantity surveying. You will report to the Lead Design Engineer but will work closely with all departments and the senior leadership team.

Major cost areas include pipes, pumps & valves, industrial automation equipment (PLCs etc), scientific sensors, geomembranes and proprietary equipment such as paddlewheels, specialist filters and industrial food processing & bulk handling equipment.

Responsibilities:

• Develop overall procurement cost-engineering roadmap
• Collaborate with design engineers investigate and identify potential system design, equipment & materials innovations
• Seek innovative new suppliers and alternative materials & equipment
• Analyse logistics costs to recommend procurement strategies (local to project vs UK vs global)
• Total project capex cost estimation and analysis
• Analyse and present cost, performance and risk impact of changes in specifications, materials and suppliers
• Establish ‘should-costing’ for major procurement categories
• Support preparation and evaluation of call for tenders and supplier quotations, prepare negotiation dossiers from cost engineering viewpoint in close collaboration with procurement staff
• Define cost engineering KPIs and scorecards to track and challenge supplier performance, to improve supplier performance and strengthen business partnerships
• Communicate with and support management decisions by providing appropriate cost information
• Assist with project total cost forecasting, scenario analysis and technical procurement

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance or related field
• 5+ years of experience in engineering design, technical procurement or quantity surveying
• Proven track record in project management
• MSc. / MBA
• Deep understanding of the procurement process and/or cost engineering, ideally in sectors such as mining, infrastructure or utilities
• Experience negotiating CAPEX contracts in global projects
• Creative / entrepreneurial mindset
• Experience dealing with a wide range of cultures and global suppliers
• Ability to comfortably and confidently present and influence all levels within the organization and to work with both technical and non-technical teams
• Oral and written communication skills are crucial, as well as ability to think clearly, analyse quantitatively and prioritize tasks
• Experience working as part of a project management team operating in accordance with best practices e.g. PRINCE 2
• Demonstrated cost management and estimating experience with industrial facilities

Benefits

At Brilliant Planet we provide a benefits scheme that is customized to each employee’s evolving needs and priorities. You will be invited to select a portfolio of benefits from, for example:

• Private medical insurance (individual or family)
• Gym, pool & exercise class membership
• Professional development / training
• Duvet days
• Work-from-home equipment allowance

We also offer all staff:

• Enhanced parental leave
• The ability to buy additional leave
• 24/365 confidential counselling services (work and personal)
• A number of wellbeing resources
• A cycle-to-work scheme

We offer flexible working hours including partial remote work and flexible start times where practical.

We are located at the historic Rothamstead science campus, one of the UK’s leading agriscience research institutions. The campus includes 3 miles of walking trails, free on-site parking, a discounted staff canteen and is a five-minute walk from Harpenden town centre.