Manager, Pricing & Cost Estimating

Stark Aerospace; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Stark Aerospace Inc. in the United States seeks a senior pricingprofessional to lead cost estimation, pricing strategy and proposal pricing for DoD solicitations.

You will collaborate with engineering, program management and finance to develop bottom-up estimates, pricing narratives and cost volumes for various contract types while ensuring FAR, DFARS and CAS compliance and audit readiness. The role requires strong Excel modeling and executive communication, with leadership responsibilities

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business or related field.
• 7+ years of government contract pricing, cost estimating or related experience.
• Strong knowledge of FAR, DFARS, CAS and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data requirements.
• Experience developing cost volumes for competitive and sole source acquisitions.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of detailed cost estimates and pricing models for government proposals.
• Prepare bottom-up estimates based on labor, material, subcontract, travel, and other direct cost inputs.
• Develop and maintain pricing models for various contract types (firm fixed price, cost plus, T&M).
• Conduct price to win, sensitivity, affordability, and competitive analyses to inform capture strategy.
• Ensure proposal compliance with solicitation instructions and evaluation criteria.

Skills

Pricing analytics

Financial modeling

Communication

Presentation skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or related field

MBA or professional certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of detailed cost estimates and pricing models for competitive and sole-source government proposals.
• Prepare bottom-up estimates based on labor, material, subcontract, travel, and other direct cost inputs.
• Develop and maintain pricing models for firm fixed price, cost plus, time and materials, and other contract types.
• Conduct price to win, sensitivity, affordability, and competitive analyses to support capture strategy.
• Evaluate cost, schedule, technical, and execution risks and incorporate appropriate pricing assumptions.

Basis of Estimate (BOE)Development

• Collaborate with Engineering, Program Management, Operations, and Subject Matter Experts to develop and validate Basis of Estimate documentation
• Review labor hour estimates, technical assumptions, material requirements and program execution plans for completeness and realism.
• Ensure traceability between technical, management and cost proposal volumes.
• Lead preparation of cost and pricing volumes in response to Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Quote (RFQs) and other government solicitations.
• Ensure proposal compliance with solicitation instructions, evaluation criteria and submission requirements.
• Coordinate cost volume content, pricing narratives and supporting documentation across multiple functions.

Subcontract and Supplier Pricing Analysis

• Review supplier and subcontractor cost proposals and price quotations
• Perform cost and price analyses to determine price reasonableness and adequacy
• Support subcontract proposal evaluations and negotiations
• Ensure compliance with FAR subcontract cost analysis requirements

Financial Analysis and Indirect Rate Application

• Apply approved indirect rate structures, including fringe, overhead, material handling and General & Administrative (G&A) rates.
• Partner with Finance and Accounting teams to assess forward pricing rates and long-range financial impacts.
• Analyze profit objectives, investment requirements and business case considerations

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure proposal compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards, (CAS) and Truthful Cost or pricing Data requirements.
• Maintain audit ready proposal documentation supporting all pricing assumptions and methodologies.
• Interpret regulatory changes and implement compliant estimating practices.

Audit and Government Review Support

• Support Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) audits, fact finding sessions and proposal reviews.
• Respond to government questions regarding labor, material, indirect rates and estimating methodologies.
• Prepare supporting analyses and documentation for internal and external audits.

Leadership and Proposal Governance

• Lead pricing reviews during capture and proposal development phases.
• Present pricing recommendations and risk assessments during management reviews including Pink Team, Red Team and Executive Review sessions.
• Advise senior leadership on pricing strategy, win probability and financial performance considerations.
• Mentor pricing analysts and estimators and support continuous process improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in government contract pricing, cost estimating, program finance or proposal management.
• Extensive experience supporting U.S Government and Department of Defense proposal efforts.
• Strong knowledge of FAR, DFARS, CAS and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data requirements.
• Experience developing cost volumes for competitive and sole source acquisitions.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling.
• Strong analytical, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced proposal environment with aggressive deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, master's degree or professional certification in Finance, Accounting or Program Management.
• Experience supporting DCAA and DCMA audits
• Experience with Earned Valus Management Systems (EVMS).
• Knowledge of Forward Pricing Rate Agreements (FPRAs) and Forward Pricing Rate Recommendations (FPRRs)
• Prior experience within a major aerospace, defense or government services contractor.
• Experience leading complex capture efforts exceeding $100M in contract value
• Proposal Management
• Price to Win Analysis
• Government Contracting
• FAR/DFARS Compliance
• Indirect Rate Analysis
• DCAA/DCMA Audit Support
• Executive Presentation Skills
• Strategic Pricing
• Cross Functional Leadership

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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