Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) is currently seeking a Price/Cost Proposal Analyst Level 3 or 4 to join our team! This position will be located on site in Palmdale, CA or Rancho Bernardo, CA. This position will be responsible for producing high quality analysis of supplier proposals in support of Global Supply Chain (GSC) cost estimates.
Principal Proposal Analysts (Level 3) will perform fairly complex tasks and participate in determining objectives of assignment. Plan schedules and arrange activities in accomplishing objectives. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.
Senior Principal Proposal Analysts (Level 4) will perform assignments that are complex and performed independently without appreciable direction. Exercises considerable latitude in determining objective and approaches to assignment.
Both Principal and Senior Principal Proposal Specialists will evaluate supplier proposals through various analysis techniques (such as similar product comparisons, analogous products, parametric estimating, cost estimating relationships, and bottom-up estimating) to assess a fair and reasonable position, which is documented in a price/cost analysis report (PCAR). The Proposal Analyst will encounter various contract types, such as fixed price, cost type, and indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Other items that fall under this statement of work are Option Price Verifications and evaluating Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs). The Proposal Analyst will provide valuable insight into supplier risk, negotiation positions, and contribute to an executable baseline for our subcontract management teams. This role will collaborate across multiple functions such as Contracts, Pricing & Estimating, Engineering, Global Supply Chain, and Program Management to prepare and submit high quality, compliant and on-time PCARs to support customer commitments and company financial goals.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Perform a price and cost analysis to evaluate the direct and indirect labor rates, overheads, general and administrative expenses, cost of money and any other factors used in supplier’s proposal, including any economic factors applied to period of performance or effort, and incorporate the findings into the PCAR
Performing cost estimating/pricing reviews and analysis in accordance with industry best practices, solicitation instructions, customer requirements and USG regulatory requirements
Conducting research into market and historical data and developing cost estimating models to evaluate price reasonableness and develop negotiation positions with subcontractors
Compiling information from periodicals, catalogs, and other sources to stay informed on regulations (e.g., FAR, DFARS, etc.), price trends and manufacturing processes
Conferring with suppliers and analyzing suppliers' operations to determine factors that affect prices
Issuing requests for information (RFI) and fact-finding questions to suppliers and participating in fact-finding meetings to review bases of estimates (BOEs) and source documentation
Requesting DCMA/DCAA assist audits where applicable
Interfacing with responsible engineers regarding the integration of technical evaluations into the cost analysis when appropriate
Preparing and presenting data for Supply Chain Management review to establish negotiation objective positions; Providing negotiation support through subcontract award
Maintaining records and supporting data used and provided in support of proposals
This position may be filled at either a Principal (Level 3) or Senior Principal (Level 4) depending upon candidate qualifications, skills, education and experience.
Basic Qualifications:
Level 3: Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, engineering, or related discipline and 5 years of related experience; or master’s degree in business, finance, economics, engineering or related discipline and 3 years related experience
Level 4: Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, engineering, or related discipline and 8 years of related experience; or master’s degree in business, finance, economics, engineering or related discipline and 6 years related experience
Knowledge of statistical and forecasting concepts and techniques
Proficiency with MS Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word
Must have Active DoD Secret or higher clearance (with background investigation completed within the last 5 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to apply analytical skills and accounting, finance, economic and/or forecasting concepts and principles to data
Meet deadlines in a challenging environment and manage multiple simultaneous projects with attention to detail
Technical and creative writing skills; able to tell the story of the analysis performed and the results such that the reader understands and can follow our position
Self-starter who likes to “self-teach” topics and new skills (such as calculations/formulas to enable a more efficient analysis)
Active Top Secret clearance or ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance
Experience working on or contributing to Government proposals
Familiarity and/or practical experience with regression analysis
Conceptual or practical knowledge of cost improvement curves
Working knowledge of the Government contracting environment (FAR and DFARS) such as FAR Part 15, FAR Part 12, and FAR Part 16
Knowledge of direct and indirect rate proposals, activity-based costing, audits and audit processes and the Defense Contract Audit Agency and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCAA/DCMA)
Understanding of earned value management and business systems
Hands-on experience with SAP
Familiarity with aerospace production operation functions, tasks, and processes
Background in Global Supply Chain Subcontract/Procurement requirements