Value Engineering Manager (all genders)

tonies is a global leader in interactive audio platforms for children, known for its intuitive Toniebox system. With over 10 million Tonieboxes sold, the company focuses on child-safe, screen-free learning and play. As a Value Engineering Manager, you will be a key technical partner within Global Procurement, providing fact-based engineering insights and should-cost transparency to optimize product costs. This role involves close collaboration with Product Development, Quality, and suppliers to maintain competitive cost structures while upholding high design and safety standards.

Must Have

• Develop detailed should-cost models (cleansheet) for mechanical, electronic, and packaging components.
• Analyze supplier quotations and identify cost drivers, gaps, and improvement potential.
• Provide fact-based cost insights to support Procurement in negotiations.
• Support Design-to-Cost (DtC) and Design-to-Value (DtV) activities with cost transparency and engineering input.
• Evaluate alternative materials, designs, and processes proposed by cross-functional teams for cost and value impact.
• Work closely with Product Development, Quality, Product Industrialization, Global Production, and Finance to align on cost targets.
• Support teams in on-site supplier assessments to validate processes, labor assumptions, and cost structures.
• Identify cost impact driven through efficiency and process improvement opportunities at suppliers.
• Maintain benchmarking data for materials, labor rates, and manufacturing processes.
• Communicate cost findings clearly and drive cross-functional discussions on cost-optimization opportunities.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years in value engineering, cost engineering, product cost management, or technical procurement.
• Deep understanding of key manufacturing processes and markets.
• Strong analytical capabilities and experience developing should-cost models.
• Comfortable working on-site with suppliers, including manufacturing floor evaluations.
• Excellent communication skills (English).
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed and to work in a hybrid setup with 2–3 on-site days per week in Düsseldorf.

Good to Have

• Preferably German communication skills.

Perks & Benefits

• Global teamwork and collaboration across departmental and country borders.
• Inclusive and diverse work environment.
• Mobility options: Deutschlandticket, monthly contribution for office parking, leasing bicycle, or remote work subsidy.
• Enhanced Security: Subsidies for company pension plans, occupational pension schemes, and occupational disability insurance.
• Rest & Time Off: 30 days of paid annual leave, plus three additional days off (Rosenmontag, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve).
• Up to 10 "toniecation days" (unpaid leave days) after one year of employment.
• Continuous Learning: Internal and external training opportunities, individual learning budget.
• Language Learning & Relaxation: Access to Babbel language learning app and Calm meditation app.
• Discounts on the entire range of tonies products.

##### About tonies:

tonies is the globally leading interactive audio platform for children with more than 10 million Tonieboxes and 125 million Tonies sold. The intuitive and award-winning audio system has changed the way young children play and learn independently with its child-safe, wireless, and screen-free approach. Tonieboxes have been activated in over 100 countries, the content portfolio includes around 1,400 Tonies in several languages. Since its inception, tonies has achieved significant milestones, including listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in November 2021 as well as a globally present team of over 550 dedicated professionals operating from various countries.

Joining our team means being part of an inspiring mission to create innovative and meaningful experiences for children around the world. Together, we’re shaping the future of play, learning, and imagination.

##### You as part of tonies:

As you are the key technical partner within the Global Procurement organization, focused on bringing fact-based engineering insights, should-cost transparency, and data-driven decision support into sourcing and product cost optimization.

Working in close collaboration with Product Development, Quality, Product Industrialization, Global Production, Finance, and our global supplier network, this role ensures that tonies® maintains a competitive cost structure while upholding our high standards for design, safety, and customer value.

You provide expert support to Design-to-Value (DtV) and Design-to-Cost (DtC) initiatives, identify process efficiency opportunities at suppliers, and act as a technically knowledgeable counterpart during commercial negotiations. This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration and a willingness to travel to suppliers globally.

##### Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Develop detailed should-cost models (cleansheet) for mechanical, electronic, and packaging components.
• Analyze supplier quotations and identify cost drivers, gaps, and improvement potential.
• Provide fact-based cost insights to support Procurement in negotiations.
• Support DtC and DtV activities with cost transparency and engineering input.
• Evaluate alternative materials, designs, and processes proposed by cross-functional teams for cost and value impact.
• Work closely with Product Development, Quality, Product Industrialization, Global Production, and Finance to align on cost targets.
• Support teams in on-site supplier assessments to validate processes, labor assumptions, and cost structures
• Identify cost impact driven through efficiency and process improvement opportunities at suppliers together with the Global Production department
• Maintain benchmarking data for materials, labor rates, and manufacturing processes.
• Communicate cost findings clearly and drive cross-functional discussions on cost-optimization opportunities.

##### What we are looking for:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years in value engineering, cost engineering, product cost management, or technical procurement—preferably in consumer electronics, toys, or hardware manufacturing.
• Deep understanding of key manufacturing processes and markets: injection molding, die casting, PCBA, SMT, mechanical assembly, packaging, etc.
• Strong analytical capabilities and experience developing should-cost models.
• Comfortable working on-site with suppliers, including manufacturing floor evaluations.
• Excellent communication skills (English and preferably German) and ability to challenge suppliers constructively.
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed and to work in a hybrid setup with 2–3 on-site days per week.

##### Why tonies?

• Global Teamwork: We collaborate across departmental and country borders on our vision to bring the Toniebox into every child's room in the world.
• Come as you are: This applies not only to the dress code but also to everything else. Because only where you truly feel comfortable can you give your best.
• Mobility: Choose the option that suits you best - a Deutschlandticket (public transport ticket) for unlimited mobility, a monthly contribution for an office parking space, a leasing bicycle, or a remote work subsidy.
• Enhanced Security: Benefit from subsidies for company pension plans, occupational pension schemes, and occupational disability insurance.
• Rest & Time Off: Enjoy 30 days of paid annual leave as well as three additional days off such as Rosenmontag, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve. After one year of employment, you can also use up to 10 "toniecation days" (unpaid leave days).
• Continuous Learning: Benefit from our internal and external training opportunities as well as an individual learning budget to continuously expand your knowledge.
• Language Learning & Relaxation: Improve your communication skills with the language learning app Babbel and find relaxation through our access to the meditation app Calm.
• Discounts: Benefit from attractive discounts on our entire range of products.

##### Good to know:

As part of our principles, we are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity. We actively celebrate our colleagues’ different abilities, ethnicities, faith and gender. Everyone is welcome and supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sabine Schykowski

Talent Acquisition Manager