Cost Optimization - Value Engineering Category Lead

BuzzBallz; Louisville (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

BuzzBallz is seeking a Value Engineering Category Lead to drive sustainable cost optimization across Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing, Finance, Operations and Brand teams. The role combines strategic thinking, financial analysis and cross-functional leadership to reduce cost of goods while preserving quality and brand integrity.

You will develop financial models, business cases and roadmaps, lead initiatives from concept to implementation, and communicate progress and risks to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years in procurement/value engineering/strategic sourcing or related supply chain role.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, project management and business case development skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify and lead value engineering initiatives that reduce cost of goods while maintaining product quality, regulatory compliance, and brand standards.
• Partner with Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing, Finance, Operations, and Brand teams to evaluate, prioritize, and implement cost optimization opportunities.
• Develop financial models, business cases, and value engineering roadmaps to support strategic sourcing and cost reduction initiatives.
• Analyze manufacturing processes, ingredient sourcing, and supply chain opportunities to improve operational efficiency and long-term value.
• Drive cross-functional projects from concept through implementation while communicating progress, risks, and results to business leaders.

Skills

Procurement experience

Value engineering

Strategic sourcing

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description/Responsibilities

Join our Procurement team and help shape the future of product innovation through value engineering. As the Value Engineering Category Lead, you will identify and deliver sustainable cost optimization opportunities by partnering across Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing, Finance, Operations, and Brand teams. This highly collaborative role combines strategic thinking, financial analysis, and cross-functional leadership to improve cost of goods while maintaining product quality, consumer expectations, and brand integrity.

What You'll Do

• Identify and lead value engineering initiatives that reduce cost of goods while maintaining product quality, regulatory compliance, and brand standards.
• Partner with Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing, Finance, Operations, and Brand teams to evaluate, prioritize, and implement cost optimization opportunities.
• Develop financial models, business cases, and value engineering roadmaps to support strategic sourcing and cost reduction initiatives.
• Analyze manufacturing processes, ingredient sourcing, and supply chain opportunities to improve operational efficiency and long-term value.
• Drive cross-functional projects from concept through implementation while communicating progress, risks, and results to business leaders.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required

• Bachelor's degree
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, value engineering, strategic sourcing, commercial negotiations, or a related supply chain function
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, project management, and business case development skills with the ability to evaluate cost, risk, and operational tradeoffs
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and lead complex initiatives

Preferred

• Experience within food and beverage, distilled spirits, consumer packaged goods (CPG), chemicals, or other formulation-driven manufacturing environments
• Experience leading cost of goods (COGS) reduction, value engineering, or manufacturing optimization initiatives
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, ingredient sourcing, and supply chain network optimization

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