Saurabh Sarkar

Cost-Out Initiative
Drove vendor-level target setting for Lowe’s $1B cost-out program by analyzing historical purchase trends. Automated the Cost Justification Template (CJT) process, streamlining vendor communications and reducing manual work. Improved transparency in cost change tracking through structured workflows.
Tools: SQL, Excel, Power BI

Reactive Analysis Revamp
Spearheaded a plug-and-play framework to elevate reactive cost analysis, integrating key drivers like item-level impact, margin shifts, inventory levels, and WOS-based negotiation signals. Enhanced merchant visibility into commodity trends and emerging risks.

Cost Analytics Process Redesign
Redesigned core workflows to address recurring misses, launching a framework with audit checkpoints, checklist validations, and flexible SLAs. Initiated change through structured planning, leadership buy-in, and team alignment — reducing misses and boosting reliability.

Ad-Hoc Problem Solving
Known for swift, creative responses to open-ended business questions. Example: Identified poor Steel Railing performance was tied to low-demand launch locations — turning ambiguity into strategic insight.

Cross-Functional Contributions

Led Teradata-to-GCP transition by coordinating issue resolution and ensuring timely delivery.

Created a vendor KPI dashboard (100+ metrics) adopted as a go-to tool by U.S. leadership.

Built a temporary cost change dashboard to guide merchant decision-making.

Delivered Private Brand-specific cost-out reports to support broader alignment across functions.

Cost Negotiations - Liquor SKUs

• Supported a leading U.S. retailer in cost negotiation strategy for liquor SKUs, delivering analytical insights to strengthen vendor discussions, and drive margin improvements.
• This experience provided early exposure to cost optimization analytics, laying a strong foundation for advanced cost modeling, and vendor collaboration in future roles.