SMS Assist Summary

At SMS Assist, we’re not just in the business of fixing properties—we’re fixing an entire industry. Typically, facilities maintenance is tough work—both in the nature of the job (plumbing, HVAC, snow removal) and the lack of clarity throughout the experience. We decided a better way wasn’t only possible, but essential. Through our award-winning technology platform, built and powered by SMSers, we connect local contractors to our customers and help manage an experience that surpasses expectations. 

Recognized on Forbes’ Cloud 100 list, Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500, Chicago Crain’s Top Tech Employers, and more, SMS Assist manages more than 186,000 properties where people live and work. Our customers’ livelihoods are in our hands—think a restaurant manager whose only fryer goes down on a busy Friday night or a family in Florida without power after a hurricane. We work across the industries that make up your community, including retail, food service, banking, residential, and more, and we help them find the right provider in our network (we call them Affiliates) in more than 45 trades. 

We’re innovators, disruptors, and out-of-the-box thinkers. We set each other up for success in the office and for the perfect spike on the volleyball court during an intramural game. We’re community volunteers, karaoke partners, and lifelong friends. We’re passionate about the people we serve, and we give our all because we care. We want to make every property better, and we want your help to make it happen.

Job Summary

As a key strategic leader, the Director of Cost is responsible for controlling expenses through financial research and analysis. In this role, your duties include analyzing the difference between company costs and standard costs, developing budgets, auditing spend transactions, conducting market research, and preparing reports for company leadership. One of your main goals is to determine how to lower costs for the company.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team responsible for identifying, quantifying, and maintaining database of common repairs and replacements.
• Develop and formalize company strategy for direct costs.
• Establish budget guidelines for database of common repairs and replacements.
• Validate that all auditable processes are being performed properly.
• Determine “should-cost” methodology.
• Provide strategic planning, change management and organizational leadership to achieve goals and objectives of purchasing operations.
• Build, maintain, and communicate best practice initiatives, processes, programs and training to meet profit, revenue, and operational goals.
• Act as an internal consultant to business leadership on programs, process, and initiatives that support achievement of goals and maximize opportunities for consistency.
• Conduct periodic market analysis to benchmark commodity cost impacts to budget guidelines.

Professional Skills

These are the professional skills we would expect from an individual fully established in this role.

• Verbal Communication – Expert
• Written Communication – Expert
• Teamwork – Expert
• Relationships – Expert
• Negotiation – Expert
• Organizational Awareness – Expert
• Learning Agility – Expert
• Analysis – Expert
• Problem Solving – Expert
• Process Orientation – Expert
• Prioritization – Expert

Role Specific Skills

• Computer Skills: proficiencies in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook required
• Ability to lead and develop teams including coaching and performance management ability.
• Strong Oral/Written Communication and Interpersonal, and Customer Service skills; ability to communicate effectively with a high degree of professionalism.
• Frequent interactions with a wide variety of internal and external contacts, with all levels of authority and responsibility.
• Ability to react and respond favorably, manage conflict, and resolve problems in a professional manner.
• Team Player: demonstrated ability to work within cross-functional teams.
• Keen ability to influence without authority.
• Creativity/innovation to apply new and evolving ideas, methods, designs, and technologies
• Positive attitude and self-starter
• Resilient and open to change
• Solid decision-making capabilities
• Advanced proficiency in all people management processes including recruitment, performance management and reward
• Advanced proficiency in building, growing, and developing a team; including department structure design and resourcing

People Management Skills

• Advanced proficiency in all people management processes, including recruitment, performance management and reward

• Advanced proficiency in building, growing and developing a team; including department structure design and resourcing
• Advanced proficiency in coaching and developing individual team members to reach their potential
• Proficient in engaging multiple teams through communication, processes, personal impact and influence

Qualifications

    Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years business experience including 5+ years building and/or managing accounts/stores/regions
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Degree in Finance, Economics, or related discipline is preferred
• Demonstrable experience of cost analysis, market research, and creating cost reduction plans.
• Solid background in all mathematical problem-solving and statistical data analysis.
• Facility or maintenance management experience is preferred

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