Ford Customization Cycle Plan & Product Strategy Manager

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. 

What you'll do…

• 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.

You'll have…

• 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

Even better, you may have…

• 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 changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• 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, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day 

• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time. 

This position is a le