Seven years after earning his MBA at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics, alumnus Johnny Le ’18 is rising higher at Huntington Beach-based plastic products maker Cambro Manufacturing, currently serving as senior pricing and contracts analyst with the company. Previously, he was a pricing analyst for a wide range of firms.

Le points to his graduate school days, when he was working at Spectrum Brands, as when he became involved in pricing analysis. “At the time, I had many years of accounts receivable experience, and I was ready to take the new challenge,” he says. “I felt the pricing analyst role was a step up into the finance realm from where I was before, and I was ecstatic and fortunate to be given the opportunity.”

While a day in the life of a pricing analyst varies depending on company, Le notes a common element in maintaining desired profit margins according to that particular industry’s targets. “Each industry has different profit margin targets, so I always research market trends, costs of raw materials or services, as well as supply and demand,” he says. “Gathering all this info helps me understand and execute the proper pricing for the products or services in order for the company to be profitable.”

After earning his MBA at Cal State Fullerton, Le noticed a sea change in his career, with companies reaching out to him with pricing opportunities with additional responsibilities.

 “With each move, my salary offers kept on getting higher. I even had opportunities come my way during COVID,” he recalls. “Of all the companies I worked for in the past, Cambro Manufacturing has given me the most experience and trust in my position.  Not only do I excel in the pricing realm, but they have confidence in me expanding into other departments of the company, ranging from legal contracts to sales and marketing.  This led to my promotion with a senior title.  Their investment in me has made me feel proud to be a part of the Camily, or Cambro family.”

In the years ahead, Le anticipates being in a finance management or controller position at Cambro.

Le advises young professionals that the CSUF MBA program is an outstanding path for an attainable master’s in business because it is designed to help students understand and become familiar with all aspects of the professional world.

“Each class gives you a glimpse of how other departments work that you may not be familiar with, such as engineering or operations management. This exposure gives you a comprehensive learning experience on how a company operates, whether it is a small or big firm, or a private or public company,” he says. “And there is the value of interacting and maintaining relationships with your classmates, who are also business professionals, throughout the entire program. They can help increase your chances of career opportunities through their network.  You never know if your next career jump is right around the corner!”

For more on the transformation that a CSUF MBA can provide, explore our graduate alumni stories. Or discover more about the many options for an MBA that align with your individual career goals and aspirations.