Senior Packaging Costing Strategist

Tree Brand Packaging; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Tree Brand Packaging in Newton, NC is seeking a Senior Packaging Costing Specialist to own the costing and estimating function for pallets, crates, and custom packaging. You will develop accurate cost estimates, maintain material and labor data, and create standardized tools used across locations.

Collaborate with design, review high-value quotes for margin integrity, mentor staff, monitor market prices, and identify cost-reduction opportunities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, industrial engineering, or related field preferred.
• Significant experience in cost estimating, pricing analysis, or manufacturing costing for pallets/crates/wood packaging.
• Strong understanding of raw material markets (lumber, hardware) and ability to track current pricing.
• Ability to analyze throughput, waste, and labor data to build accurate cost models.
• Proficiency with Pallet Design System (PDS), Microsoft Access, and Excel or ability to learn quickly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to work across sales, purchasing, operations, and customers.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take ownership of a functional area.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead costing and estimating for pallets, crates, and custom packaging.
• Develop accurate cost estimates by analyzing material usage, labor, throughput, and waste.
• Monitor lumber and hardware pricing to keep assumptions up to date.
• Build standardized costing models in PDS, Access, and Excel.
• Collaborate with design to align cost, margin, and manufacturability.
• Review high-value quotes for accuracy and margin integrity.
• Analyze plant throughput and labor data to refine costing.
• Identify cost-reduction opportunities and pricing risks.
• Serve as technical resource for pricing and quotes.
• Coordinate with purchasing on raw material cost trends.
• Develop and maintain costing documentation and procedures.
• Provide mentorship to Packaging Solutions staff.
• Troubleshoot discrepancies between estimated and actual costs.
• Maintain records of quotes and costing data for audits.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Skills

Cost estimating

Pricing analysis

Manufacturing costing

Data analysis

Independence at work

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance

Bachelor's degree in accounting/industrial engineering

Tools

Pallet Design System (PDS)

Microsoft Access

Excel

Job description

Tree Brand Packaging in Newton, NC is seeking a Senior Packaging Costing Specialist to own the costing and estimating function for pallets, crates, and custom packaging. You will develop accurate cost estimates, maintain material and labor data, and create standardized tools used across locations.

Collaborate with design, review high-value quotes for margin integrity, mentor staff, monitor market prices, and identify cost-reduction opportunities.