Senior Cost Manager

Senior Cost Manager

Location: TRX, Kuala Lumpur

Industry: Manufacturing

Contract Duration: 1 Year Contract

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

We are looking for a Senior Cost Manager to independently manage cost and commercial activities for assigned projects or major work packages within a manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will be responsible for cost planning, estimating, budgeting, forecasting, change management, invoice review, cost reporting, risk management, contract administration, and project close-out. The role will serve as a key day-to-day cost management contact for project stakeholders, providing commercial recommendations and supporting junior team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and review cost estimates, cost plans, budgets, and forecasts using project information, benchmarking data, and market intelligence.
• Lead value engineering and lifecycle costing exercises for assigned projects or work packages.
• Manage cost control reports, forecasts, cash flow reporting, and financial reporting.
• Lead project change control, including change orders, commitments, invoices, forecasts, and cost impact assessments.
• Review change orders, invoices, quotations, and supporting documentation for commercial accuracy and contractual alignment.
• Identify, assess, and manage commercial and cost risks across assigned projects.
• Provide commercial input during pre-contract and post-contract discussions.
• Represent the cost management function in meetings with clients, contractors, consultants, and design teams.
• Assess and communicate cost impacts arising from design changes, scope developments, procurement decisions, and project risks.
• Perform measurement, pricing research, benchmarking, development appraisals, and commercial analysis.
• Support commercial negotiations, contract administration, final accounts, and project close-out.
• Review the work of Junior Cost Managers and provide day-to-day coaching and guidance.
• Ensure consistent use of cost management templates, trackers, controls, and reporting processes.
• Independently resolve routine commercial matters and escalate significant risks or decisions to the Lead Cost Manager or project leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional qualification in:
• Quantity Surveying
• Construction Management
• Cost Management
• Engineering
• Data Analytics with a construction/cost focus
• Or a related discipline
• Minimum 5 years of relevant cost management experience.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Proven experience independently managing:
• Cost plans and estimates
• Budgets and forecasts
• Change control
• Invoice and quotation reviews
• Cost and commercial reporting
• Experience in commercial risk management and providing cost recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Strong numerical, analytical, commercial, and documentation skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work with clients, consultants, contractors, and project leadership.
• Ability to review and supervise junior team members and independently manage assigned projects or major work packages.