The Cost of a Sandwich

Challenge:
Production associates had limited visibility into how everyday decisions on the line affected overall costs. Without a clear understanding of material, labor, and overhead expenses, it was difficult to connect individual actions to the company’s financial performance.

Solution:
Partnering with the Finance team as subject matter experts, I designed The Cost of a Sandwich, an eLearning module that broke down the three major cost drivers—materials, labor, and overhead—into simple, relatable examples. Interactive scenarios allowed associates to experiment with different decisions in sandwich “production,” making the financial impact tangible and easy to grasp.

Results:
Associates reported stronger understanding of how their work influences costs and productivity. Supervisors noted more cost-conscious behaviors on the floor, and the course established a shared language between Production and Finance, improving cross-department collaboration on efficiency initiatives.