Regional Should Cost Expert - Sourcing (Asia)

StarTech.com is seeking an experienced and analytical Should Cost Expert to join our Asia Sourcing team. This position is a key enabler of cost transparency, supplier competitiveness, and strategic sourcing excellence across both electronic and mechanical supply bases. The successful candidate will bring deep cost-engineering expertise, an understanding of manufacturing cost structures, and the ability to operate effectively across global time zones and multicultural teams.

This role reports directly to the Global Sourcing Director (United States – PST Time Zone) and partners closely with StarTech.com’s Headquarters in Canada (EST Time Zone), as well as global cross-functional teams across engineering, supply chain, and product management.

Please note while the role supports our team, employment will be through a trusted partner in Hong Kong or Taiwan.

What you will be responsible for:

• Develop, validate, and maintain detailed should-cost models for electronic and mechanical components and assemblies.
• Analyze electronic BOMs (PCBs, semiconductors, connectors, passives) and mechanical BOMs (plastics, metals, die-cast parts, and assemblies) to identify true cost drivers.
• Build comprehensive cost breakdowns including materials, transformation, labor, overhead, yield rates, and logistics.
• Leverage and manage should-cost software platforms to generate data-driven cost insights that support sourcing, negotiations, and supplier cost transparency.
• Lead the implementation and utilization of should-cost tools across the sourcing organization, ensuring effective data capture, modeling accuracy, and actionable insight generation.
• Partner with sourcing teams to develop and execute negotiation strategies based on should-cost analytics.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Product Management, and Supply Chain to identify cost-optimization and value-engineering opportunities.
• Conduct supplier site visits, audits, and cost workshops to validate assumptions and benchmark performance.
• Maintain regional cost databases and manufacturing benchmarks to support sourcing strategy and supplier performance evaluations.
• Work across time zones (PST, EST, and Asia) to ensure alignment on cost models, supplier strategy, and sourcing decisions.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical), Supply Chain, or Finance.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in cost engineering, should-cost analysis, or value engineering, preferably within electronics or electromechanical manufacturing.
• Proven experience leveraging and leading should-cost software platforms to drive supplier cost transparency, sourcing efficiency, and data-driven negotiation outcomes.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes such as PCB assembly, injection molding, metal stamping, machining, and assembly operations.
• Deep knowledge of regional cost structures in Southeast Asia, including labor, overhead, yield, and transformation costs.
• Demonstrated ability to translate cost insights into actionable negotiation levers and supplier development strategies.
• Experience working with international companies or global, cross-functional teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills across cultures and organizational levels.
• Fluent in English and Mandarin (required).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Thai, Vietnamese, or Malay (preferred).

About us

We are in the business of human-centered experiences starting with yours. We believe delivering on our promise of "hard-to-find, made easy" begins with an employee experience founded in opportunity, teamwork, empowerment, and curious minds always asking what if. Not only does our commitment to the exceptional deepen relationships with our partners and customers, it also ignites connection within our team.

StarTech.com is a global leader in tech connectivity solutions, manufacturing a wide range of accessories designed to meet the demanding performance standards of IT professionals and businesses. Since 1985, the company has expanded into 28 markets across five continents, with products trusted by more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies. StarTech.com has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte for 15 consecutive years and is ranked in the top 5% of companies worldwide for sustainability by EcoVadis.

StarTech.com is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, StarTech.com will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform Human Resources of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.