Associate Director, Program Management

Carrier; Chester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading provider in HVAC solutions seeks an Associate Director of Cost Reduction & Design-to-Cost based in Chester, UK. This pivotal role focuses on delivering sustainable cost reductions across the refrigerated container portfolio. Responsibilities include defining a global cost reduction roadmap, leading design-to-cost initiatives, and driving procurement optimization. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in industrial cost reduction and strong program management skills. Comprehensive benefits include an attractive salary, company vehicle, and private medical care.

Benefits

Attractive salary + annual bonus

Company vehicle or car allowance

Private medical & dental care

Life insurance

Pension scheme

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial cost reduction, operations, or program management.
• Strong global program management background.
• Proven experience in design‑to‑cost and procurement‑driven savings.
• High level of international mobility.
• Strong execution mindset and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the global cost reduction roadmap.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable programs.
• Ensure a strong focus on execution and savings realization.
• Lead global design-to-cost initiatives and drive simplification.
• Challenge legacy designs and technical specifications.

Skills

Industrial cost reduction

Global program management

Design-to-cost

Procurement-driven savings

Leadership skills

Job description

The Associate Director of Cost Reduction & Design-to Cost role holds accountability for driving a step‑change in cost competitiveness across the refrigerated container product portfolio. This role is focused on delivering structural and sustainable cost reductions, with immediate emphasis on standard cost reduction through procurement optimization and product design changes. The primary objective is to achieve a reduction in Bill of Materials over three years across the entire Global Container Portfolio, enabling improved pricing competitiveness, margin recovery, and market share gains in a highly competitive global market.

Responsibilities

• Cost Reduction Strategy & Execution
  • Define and execute the global cost reduction roadmap.
  • Translate strategic objectives into executable programs with clear milestones.
  • Ensure strong focus on execution and savings realization.
• Design-to-Cost & Engineering
  • Lead global design-to-cost and value engineering initiatives.
  • Drive simplification, standardization, and material substitution.
  • Challenge legacy designs and technical specifications.
• Procurement & Standard Costs
  • Drive global sourcing and supplier cost‑down initiatives.
  • Lead negotiations, resourcing, and should‑cost analyses.
  • Ensure immediate impact on standard costs.
• Program & Matrix Leadership
  • Coordinate global cross‑functional teams in Asia and the USA.
  • Operate effectively within a matrix organization.
  • Act as a change agent with high executive exposure.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial cost reduction, operations, or program management.
• Strong global program management background.
• Proven experience in design‑to‑cost and procurement‑driven savings.
• High level of international mobility.
• Strong execution mindset and leadership skills.

Carrier is the leading worldwide provider of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions. We invented the modern air conditioning, and our team of pioneers and innovators have a long trajectory of developing new technologies. The role is part of Carrier Transicold, an industry leader, providing customers around the world with advanced, energy‑efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct‑drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems.

Benefits

• Attractive salary + annual bonus
• Company vehicle or car allowance
• Private medical & dental care
• Life insurance
• Pension scheme
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays

Our Commitment to You

As an employer of choice, our greatest assets are the expertise, creativity, and passion of our employees. We strive to provide a great place to work that attracts, develops, and retains the best talent, promotes employee engagement, fosters teamwork, and drives innovation for the benefit of our customers. We aim to create an environment where you feel that you belong, with diversity and inclusion as the engine to growth and innovation. We develop and deploy best‑in‑class programs and practices, providing enriching career opportunities, listening to employee feedback, and always challenging ourselves to do better. The values that guide us are respect, integrity, inclusion, innovation, and excellence. We're excited for you to join us and make a difference.