Ford Customization Cycle Plan & Product Strategy Manager

Overview

The Ford Customization Team (formerly Vehicle Personalization) is looking for a new Cycle Plan & Strategy Manager. This individual will be responsible for developing and driving a new cycle plan process and capital deployment strategy. Additional areas of responsibilities will include creating a process for new tech incubation, curation of industry trends, evaluation of new external partners, and other special projects.

• Collaborate with vehicle line planners to fill out a full cycle plan of accessories and buzz model packages through the business plan period
• Drive deep customer understanding with GM/marketing teams to ensure Ford Customization cycle plan is filling in key gaps in the marketplace/Ford portfolio
• Partner with finance on developing capital efficiency and return targets/metrics, ensuring investment in our most profitable programs
• Lead the team to explore and execute on new areas of business and business models, e.g. partnering with Integrated Services on more digital accessory offerings
• Provide critical strategy development and analysis, working with Ford Customization strategy lead
• Manage other special projects as needed, including partnership/supplier outreach, evaluation and management, customer research with CGI, etc.
• Be the champion of change and challenge the status quo
• Represent Ford Customization in key cross-functional forums as required, ensuring broad awareness of the accessory cycle plan through the company

The ideal candidate for this position will be a proven hands-on leader with a broad understanding of all organizations related to the creation and production of vehicles. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be comfortable with making quick decisions as a result of the ever-changing work environment.

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
• 5+ years of experience leading a diverse, cross-functional team
• Vehicle planning, cycle plan, program management, product marketing, and/or strategy experience
• Demonstrated success working on white space/ambiguous projects
• Experience organizing and leading cross-functional stakeholders in POV alignment, planning and business integration activities

• Experience with accessories / buzz models a plus
• Deep experience in the Ford system beyond VP/FCSD; proven track record of integration and knowledge of other functions and groups within Ford, particularly product development
• Demonstrated understanding of the Ford Finance process used to create and approve business cases
• Demonstrated ability to make business critical decisions and owning end-to-end implications of those decisions
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Ability to work independently yet collaboratively across organizations
• Possess strong interpersonal skills, demonstrating integrity in all actions
• Prior vendor/supplier management
• Demonstrated extraordinary teamwork and leadership behaviors
• Comfortable interfacing with Executive level leadership

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we’ve outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

• As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a change maker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above?
• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays,…