Cost Analyst

Role Purpose (Why do we need this role)

The Cost Analyst will be responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and reliable reporting of voyage‑related costs. This includes managing agent cost submissions, validating expense entries, performing monthly reconciliations, and supporting key finance analytics. The role requires strong analytical capabilities, advanced Power BI skills and the ability to transform cost data into clear insights that support informed decision-making.

Role Accountabilities (What is this role responsible for delivering)

Voyage Cost Processing and Accuracy

• Review voyage cost entries against expected cost drivers (e.g. port charges, terminal handling, inland transport, vessel-related costs) and highlight discrepancies or unusual trends.
• Support monthly close activities by reviewing accruals, validating provisions.
• Perform reconciliation for voyage-related GL accounts.
• Review and analyse prior month adjustment entries, highlight anomalies, and work with relevant teams to drive resolution and improve data integrity.
• Review voyage-related invoices submitted by agents or vendors to ensure correct cost coding and confirm that agents comply with the HQ submission guidelines.

Agent Cost Submission Management

• Monitor, evaluate and report on agent performance in areas such as submission timeliness, coding accuracy, documentation completeness and adherence to HQ guidelines.
• Identify recurring submission errors and provide insights that support coaching, capability-building and agent performance reviews.
• Partner with agents to strengthen their knowledge of submission processes and adherence to HQ guidelines.
• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards to track agent performance trends, highlight improvement areas, support data-driven decision making.
• Escalate persistent performance gaps and recommend actions to improve consistency, quality and compliance across agents.
• Support agent governance in terms of cost reporting by contributing meaningful insights and quantitative assessment.

Data Analytics, Power BI Reporting & Cost Insights

• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards with accurate data models, DAX logic, and clear visualization of cost trends, agent performance and key cost drivers.
• Analyse voyage cost data to identify anomalies, variances, cost leakage, and improvement opportunities, provide clear and actionable recommendations.
• Conduct trend and variance analysis to support CAR/VIR accuracy, cost-to-serve insights and cost optimization initiatives.
• Automate recurring reports and streamline data workflows to improve efficiency, consistency and reporting quality.
• Partner with internal teams to understand analytical needs and deliver insights that support operational and financial decision making.
• Monitor data quality, identify gaps or inconsistencies and work with system or Technology teams to improve data integrity and quality.

Continuous Improvement & Process Standardization

• Evaluate cost submission, coding processes, and supporting documentation to identify gaps, inefficiencies and root causes of recurring issues.
• Recommend process improvements related to coding accuracy, workflow efficiency, standardization and digitalization.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of SOPs, coding guides and training materials for agents and internal teams.
• Support efforts to harmonize cost-related processes across regions, agents, and shared service teams to ensure consistency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work collaboratively with operations, Finance, Trade, Procurement and Shared Services to resolve cost discrepancies and ensure accurate cost capture in CVP and financial systems.
• Provide analytical support during audits, month end closing and cost review discussions.
• Act as a knowledgeable point of contact for cost-related queries, tariff clarifications and invoice coding issues.

Crisis Management

• Make every effort to be aware of and understand your role in the event of a crisis.
• Make every effort to attend any relevant training, simulations and or meetings relating to Crisis Management.
• Perform your role as best as possible in a calm and collaborative manner in line with the relevant policy and procedures in the event of a Crisis.
• Provide input and feedback towards the ongoing improvement of the Crisis Management framework and procedure.

Key Qualifications & Skills (What knowledge will ensure success in the role)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business administration or a related field.
• Certifications or coursework in Data Analytics, Power BI or Financial Analytics will be an advantage.
• Experience in cost analysis, financial analysis or data analysis; background in shipping or logistics is a strong plus but not mandatory.

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in Power BI. (data modelling, DAX, dashboard design, automation)
• Advanced Excel skills. (Power Query, pivot tables, formulas, data transformation)
• Ability to analyse large datasets, variance and root-cause analysis and derive insight.
• Familiarity with systems such as SAP, Solvermind or similar finance/ERP platform.
• Ability to identify data inconsistencies, cost anomalies and process gaps, propose effective solutions.
• Experience in processing documentation, workflow optimization or automation is beneficial.

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and deliver clear, actionable insights.
• Effective communicator able to explain cost drivers and analytical findings to non-finance stakeholders.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work across Finance, Operations, Shared Service and agents.
• Detail-oriented, organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive, solution-oriented and able to take ownership of issues through to resolution.
• Continuous improvement mindset with adaptability to evolving tools and processes.

Able to work under tight deadlines and maintain composure when handling time‑sensitive or high‑volume tasks.

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Swire Shipping is committed to ensuring equal equitable access and participation for persons who experience disability. SSL is committed to treating persons with disability in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. Reasonable adjustments can be made upon request based on understanding of those accommodations.

Across Swire Shipping, we seek to create a supportive and inclusive environment that embraces individuality and recognise the benefits that these differences make. We do this by ensuring that all individuals are treated with respect and understanding and actively promote Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying, retaliation, or intimidation of any kind. We are committed to driving the strategy, policies, and accountability to build and sustain a diverse global workforce, through equitable processes and systems where everyone can contribute their very best.