Manufacturing Cost Analyst & Estimator

Canadian Bank Note Company (CBN) is a leader and trusted provider of secure document and adjacent enterprise-level system solutions across the following domains: border security, civil identity, driver licence/identification and vehicle information, excise control, currency, lotteries and charitable gaming.

Our Corporate Philosophy and 7 Core Principles shape and guide our corporate behaviours and underpin the sense of community you will experience at CBN. We seek long-term relationships with our employees and offer a competitive compensation package that includes health, medical and life insurance benefits and a defined contribution pension plan with company matching.

Job Title: Manufacturing Cost Analyst & Estimator

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Job Location: 145 Richmond Road, Ottawa, ON

Work Model: Hybrid

Job Status: Existing Vacancy

Position Summary

As a Manufacturing Cost Analyst & Estimator in our Finance department, you will support operational decision-making by analyzing production costs and preparing accurate cost estimates for new and existing products. This role ensures cost efficiency and plays a key role in budgeting, forecasting and continuous improvement initiatives.

Technical & Systems Skills

- Advanced Excel skills (complex modelling, scenario analysis, large datasets)
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., MS Dynamics or equivalent)
- Exposure to cost modelling in regulated, high-security, or precision manufacturing environments (e.g., secure printing) is a strong asset

Soft Skills

- Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision in ambiguous or complex scenarios
- Strong business acumen with the ability to balance financial, operational, and technical considerations
- Proven ability to identify risks, challenge assumptions, and influence outcomes
- High attention to detail with a continuous improvement mindset

Responsibilities

Interpret and translate complex customer requirements into detailed costing strategies, ensuring alignment with technical feasibility, production capabilities, and contractual commitments.; Conduct comparative analysis against historical products and cost models, identifying anomalies, cost drivers, and financial risks, and proactively recommending mitigation strategies.; Act as a subject matter expert on product costing, advising stakeholders on pricing assumptions, manufacturability, and financial trade-offs.; Lead collaboration with Manufacturing, Engineering, Procurement, and Finance to develop end-to-end cost models for new and existing products.; Influence decision-making by challenging assumptions, validating inputs, and ensuring cost accuracy across multiple stakeholders.; Partner with Purchasing to evaluate supplier pricing, global sourcing impacts, and cost optimization opportunities.; Present cost estimates, risks, and recommendations to Finance and leadership, supporting pricing strategy and margin targets.; Develop and maintain complex cost models incorporating labour, materials, overhead, yield, and production variables.; Analyze variances between estimated and actual costs, identify root causes, and implement continuous improvement actions to enhance forecasting accuracy.; Support budgeting, forecasting, and scenario analysis by providing detailed cost insights tied to operational performance.; Contribute to process improvement and cost-reduction initiatives, identifying efficiencies across manufacturing workflows.; Drive improvements in estimating methodologies, tools, and data integrity to increase accuracy and scalability.; Support strategic initiatives such as new product introductions, process changes, and capital investments by providing cost and financial analysis.; Establish and document best practices, contributing to standardization across the estimating function.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).; Strong expertise in:; Cost accounting within a manufacturing or fabrication environment; Advanced cost estimating and financial modelling; Budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis; Interpreting operational data into financial insights; 5+ years of progressive experience in cost estimating, manufacturing finance, or cost analysis; Demonstrated experience supporting cross-functional decision-making and influencing stakeholders; Security clearance : Must be able to obtain (in a timely manner) and maintain Government of Canada Secret (Level II) personal security clearance