Commercial Analyst

Sonoco; Chesterfield (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonoco is seeking a Commercial Analyst to support the Head of CCP in profitability, costing excellence, and commercial discipline across the business. You will partner with Sales to provide financial input into negotiations and develop costing models for RFQs and pricing decisions.

The role focuses on cost modelling, profitability analysis, cost recovery tracking, and continuous improvement of pricing processes within a multi-functional team across regions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in Commercial/Finance.
• Strong knowledge of financial modelling and data analysis.
• Experience in manufacturing industry is preferred.
• Business partnering skills and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed costings for RFQs, tenders, and pricing requests.
• Build, maintain, and update customer cost models and pricing structures.
• Produce profitability reviews across products, customers, market segments and geographic regions.
• Track and analyse price increases and cost recovery actions.
• Support adherence to commercial and pricing processes and standard methodologies.

Skills

Financial modelling

Data analysis

Business partnering

Manufacturing industry

Education

University degree in Finance, Economics, Business

Job description

Overview Of Role PurposeThe Commercial Analyst supports the Head of CCP (Commercial Costing and Projects) in driving profitability, costing excellence, and commercial discipline across the business.

Overview Of Role PurposeThe Commercial Analyst supports the Head of CCP (Commercial Costing and Projects) in driving profitability, costing excellence, and commercial discipline across the business.The role acts as a key analytical partner to Sales teams, ensuring that high-quality data, financial insights, and costing models support day-to-day commercial decisions, providing financial input into customer negotiations.This position plays a hands-on role in costing related to the RFQ (Request For Quotation), cost modelling, profitability analysis, and cost recovery tracking, enabling the Head of CCP to focus on strategic leadership and stakeholder alignment.

Key Accountabilities

Costing & RFQ Support

• Prepare detailed costings for RFQs, tenders, and pricing requests
• Ensure all costings reflect latest standard costs, assumptions, and validated inputs
• Support evaluation of capacity and sourcing options in collaboration with Supply Chain
• Maintain consistency and accuracy across all submitted costings
• Assist in implementing RFQ processes within CRM systems

Cost Model Development & Maintenance

• Build, maintain, and update customer cost models and pricing structures
• Support Sales teams with financial analysis for negotiations
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise, and improve cost models

Profitability Analysis

• Produce profitability reviews across:
• Products
• Customers
• Market segments
• Geographic regions
• Support deep-dive analysis to identify:
• Margin erosion drivers
• Pricing gaps
• Cost inefficiencies
• Prepare insights and recommendations for profitability review meetings

Cost Recovery Tracking

• Track and analyse price increases and cost recovery actions
• Support execution of targeted recovery campaigns (e.g., inflation impacts)
• Ensure alignment with Finance on performance tracking and reporting

Process & Governance

• Support adherence to commercial and pricing processes
• Support development and documentation of standard methodologies and tools
• Improve data quality, transparency, and auditability of costing decisions
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives led by Head of Commercial Costing

Role Dimensions

• Strong focus on financial modelling, data analysis, and commercial insight
• High degree of cross-functional collaboration
• Exposure to multi-culture/multi-country/multi-market environment
• Fast-paced, deadline-driven commercial decision support

Internal And External Relationship / Contacts

Internal

• Commercial Excellence team
• Sales Directors and Sales managers
• Finance teams (cost validation, profitability analysis)
• Technical/ R&D (manufacturing capability)
• Supply Chain / S&OP (capacity & allocation)
• Operations (efficiency & manning assumptions)

External

Very limited exposure (supporting role in customer-facing situations where required)

Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience in Commercial/Finance
• Knowledge and experience in:
• Financial modelling
• Data analysis
• Business partnering
• Manufacturing industry

Education and Certifications

• University degree in Finance, Economics, Business or a related field

Job Specific Technical Requirements

• Strong analytical and modelling capability
• Commercial acumen and understanding of pricing dynamics
• Attention to detail with high data accuracy standards
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines
• Strong communication and ability to translate data into insightsProactive, solution-oriented mindset
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix organisation

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.