Director, Costing

ABOUT YOUR ROLE The Director, Costing leads the globally integrated sourcing costing organization. The role establishes one costing strategy, operating model and source of truth across product categories and sourcing regions, while retaining local execution where supplier proximity creates value. As the senior costing leader for the business, this role has shared accountability with Sourcing Development for achieving product cost and margin objectives. The Director partners closely with Sourcing Development, Engineering, Materials, Product Supply Enablement, Brand Product Development, Planning and Finance to create forward cost visibility, optimize product economics, strengthen negotiation capability and enable fact-based business decisions. Global product cost leadership • Own the sourcing costing strategy, operating model and governance across product categories and regions. • Partner with Finance and Product Supply Enablement to translate brand long-range plans, seasonal financial objectives and product strategies into forward-looking cost projections, margin opportunities and executable cost plans. • Act as the senior functional authority for sourcing costing, establishing clear decision rights, performance standards and accountability across global and regional teams. • Share accountability with Sourcing Development leaders for delivery of product cost objectives and margin improvement. GTM costing execution and visibility • Establish cost visibility and decision points across the GTM calendar, including target-cost visibility and P1/P2/SMS execution. • Own end-to-end visibility of seasonal FOB evolution, proactively communicating cost status, risks, opportunities and projection outlook at key milestones. • Establish a structured, milestone-based reporting cadence that highlights variance to target and drives timely corrective action. • Ensure costing execution supports the distinct needs while maintaining one common governance framework. Cost optimization and commercial leadership • Lead seasonal cost negotiations and integrated cost optimization in partnership with Sourcing Development, Engineering, Materials and vendors. • Close target-cost gaps through product engineering, material optimization, manufacturing productivity, supplier strategy, allocation choices and commercial negotiation. • Build fact-based negotiation methodologies and cost-engineering capability that strengthen VF's leverage while supporting sustainable supplier partnerships. • Identify structural cost opportunities beyond seasonal negotiation and convert them into measurable execution plans. Organization capability and talent • Lead and develop a multi-category, multi-region costing organization with clear roles, accountabilities and performance expectations. • Build consistent global capability in cost engineering, negotiation, analytics and commercial decision-making. • Develop a strong talent pipeline and high-performance culture, creating meaningful development pathways across categories and regions. • Lead change through the transition from independently evolved category / regional costing teams to one integrated operating model. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS • Enterprise-minded and highly collaborative leader who can operate effectively across brands, categories, regions and functions. • Proven ability to lead organizational change, transformation and business-process improvement in a complex global matrix. • Strong commercial judgment with the ability to connect product cost decisions to margin, brand strategy and business outcomes. • Influential communicator who can align senior stakeholders without relying on direct authority. • Digital and analytical mindset with a strong focus for simplification, standardization and continuous improvement. • Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams, develop talent and create accountability across distributed organizations. SKILL & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS • Bachelor's degree or above in textile / industrial engineering, supply chain, finance, business or a related discipline. • 10 years and above relevant experience, including 5 years of supervisory experience. • Strong leadership experience in global sourcing, manufacturing, product costing, cost engineering or a closely related field; multi-category experience strongly preferred. • Deep understanding of product costing, supplier economics, cost negotiation and manufacturing cost drivers. • Strong analytical and reasoning skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear business insights and action plans. • Strong executive communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to influence across Product, Finance, Planning and Supply Chain. • Working knowledge of financial reporting, margin management and commercial planning; experience with IFRS / US GAAP is an advantage. R-20261005-0057