Cost Sheet
A Cost Sheet is a detailed document used in clothing manufacturing that breaks down all the expenses involved in making a garment. It's like a recipe that shows everything needed to make a piece of clothing, including fabric costs, labor, trims (like buttons and zippers), packaging, and shipping. Factory managers and production planners use cost sheets to figure out the final price of garments and negotiate with buyers. Other names for this might include "costing sheet," "garment costing," or "product cost breakdown."
Examples in Resumes
Developed Cost Sheet analysis for 200+ styles per season, reducing production costs by 15%
Created and maintained Cost Sheets for major retail buyers including pricing negotiations
Managed Costing Sheet preparation for entire denim collection, optimizing material usage
Typical job title: "Cost Sheet Analysts"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Cost Sheet Analysts
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle cost negotiations with suppliers for a large production order?
Expected Answer: Should explain process of analyzing material costs, comparing multiple suppliers, understanding minimum order quantities, and strategies for bulk pricing negotiations while maintaining quality standards.
Q: How do you manage cost variations across different seasons and markets?
Expected Answer: Should discuss understanding of seasonal fabric pricing, labor cost differences between countries, import duties, and how to adjust costing strategies for different market segments.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when creating a cost sheet for a new style?
Expected Answer: Should mention fabric consumption, trim details, labor costs, overhead charges, testing requirements, and shipping costs, showing understanding of how each component affects final pricing.
Q: How do you handle cost sheet updates when material prices change?
Expected Answer: Should explain process of tracking price changes, updating existing cost sheets, communicating with suppliers and buyers, and maintaining proper documentation of changes.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic components of a cost sheet?
Expected Answer: Should list main elements like fabric cost, trim cost, labor cost, overhead charges, and explain basic calculations used in cost sheet preparation.
Q: How do you calculate fabric consumption for a garment?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic method of measuring pattern pieces, understanding fabric width, and accounting for wastage in calculating total fabric needed.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of garment components
- Simple cost calculations
- Microsoft Excel skills
- Understanding of basic fabric terms
Mid (2-5 years)
- Detailed costing analysis
- Supplier negotiation
- Cost reduction strategies
- Production process knowledge
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced pricing strategies
- Global sourcing expertise
- Team management
- Budget planning and forecasting
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic garment construction
- Unable to use spreadsheet software
- Lack of understanding of material costs and consumption
- No experience with supplier communication
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Cutting HR Costs Without Sacrificing Quality: A How-To for Savvy Executives
Why Your Hiring Spreadsheets Are Secretly Sabotaging Your Recruitment
Beyond Spreadsheets: Why Executive Dashboards in ATS Systems Are Your Secret Hiring Weapon
