Cost Analyst

Border States • Fargo, ND

1d

About The Position

Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you’re empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work. This position will be located in: Fargo, ND Application Deadline: February 16, 2026 Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active. Job Summary Supports cost management efforts with the implementation, coordination, and maintenance of cost management strategies for our open market business. This includes focus on ensuring cost competitiveness for key product categories and vendors through the execution of cost analysis, vendor Special Pricing Agreement (SPA) rationalization and implementation of tiered SPA strategy, opportunity identification for cost savings and profit improvement.

Requirements

• Minimum four-year degree or the equivalent in work experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Highly motivated
• Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged

Nice To Haves

• Previous procurement, sales or marketing experience with knowledge of electrical, utility, industrial products and systems preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the SAP materials management system and previous forecasting experience is preferred.
• APICS certification or proven knowledge of MRP and supply-chain knowledge preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint), Internet, email and SAP software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Reviews key product categories/vendors by branch, area or region to determine cost competitiveness, ensure market relevance and establish cost confidence with BSE branch personnel.
• Engages key branch/regional personnel as well as key company stakeholders as needed throughout category evaluations.
• Evaluates current market conditions, vendor/category alignment and strategies.
• Works to understand current cost structures (SPAs, regional vs branch, backside vendor programs, etc.).
• Works with field personnel to capture local market feedback to complete competitive market analyses.
• Utilizes system data and analytics to gather market intelligence on pricing competitiveness.
• Presents findings and recommendations to key branch and company stakeholders and implement any agreed upon results.
• Works with vendors to negotiate pricing based on evaluation findings as necessary.
• Supports identification of cost management opportunities through analytics, market feedback and commercial intelligence to demonstrate due diligence, actively managing costs and ensuring market relevance in our pricing.
• Analyzes cost differences between different locations, regions and customer types across the enterprise.
• Supports the identification of opportunities to negotiate better SPA costs for more customers, rationalizing existing SPA’s or working to improve into stock pricing.
• Utilizes market analytics and key indices (e.g. commodities) to identify opportunities for cost negotiation with vendors.
• Provides oversight and documentation of cost savings delivered through opportunity identification and market analysis.
• Adheres to the Vital Factors and Goals and Controls process.
• Supports communication to branches and customers to create confidence in price strategies.
• Promotes Service Excellence by sharing examples with the team while identifying and following through on new opportunities for teamwork.
• Continues to grow industry/field experience through different branch/customer/manufacturer visits throughout the year.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
• FSA & HSA
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Disability Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Volunteer Time
• Personal Leave time and more!
• Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level