Manager, Business Planning

Function: NA IT Digital Center 

Department: Organization Change Management (404020) 

Location:  Maryville, TN or Southfield, MI 

Reports To: Sr. Manager, Organizational Change Management 

JOB SUMMARY:

The Business Planning Manager is responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing business plans that align with organizational goals. This role supports cross-functional teams by providing insights through financial analysis, forecasting, and operational planning. The manager ensures that business decisions are data-driven and aligned with company objectives. 

The role also plays a key part in enabling the responsible adoption of AI‑enabled capabilities across enterprise IT by embedding AI considerations into planning, governance, performance measurement, and value realization. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic & Annual Planning 

• Lead the development of long-term plans supporting DENSO global and regional initiatives 
• Lead annual planning process for ITDC – establishing timeline, guidelines/policies, data collection tools, conduct hearings, prepare material for NA board approval of annual plan 
• Support executive decision‑making with clear business cases, scenario analysis, and strategic insights 
• Drive cost optimization initiatives while balancing performance, risk, and innovation 

Financial Reporting & Oversight 

• Own IT budget planning, forecasting, and variance analysis in partnership with CPD 
• Analyze financial data and operational performance, working with leadership team to ensure desire results are achieved
• Monitor and report monthly financial results - expense, capital, labor, benefits, and income 
• Drive monthly and quarterly business updates and reviews with senior leadership 
• Prepare and present business insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders and executive teams 
• Monitor IT spend, cost drivers, and benefits realization across programs and services 
• Enable standard tools, templates, and methodologies for reporting 

Collaboration & Communication 

• Collaborate with department heads and ITDC executive team to ensure budget adherence 
• Lead development and alignment of change initiatives and adoption strategies across ITDC 
• Maintain clear documentation of planning processes, direction, and decisions including calendar-based deliverables and recurring events 
• Act as a trusted advisor to IT leadership and business partners on planning, prioritization, and trade‑offs 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field 
• 10+ years of experience in business planning, financial analysis, or strategic operations or related 
• 3+ years of leadership experience in business planning, accounting, or finance role 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Adept at creating presentation materials that are clear, concise, and data driven 
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and overall O365 applications and environment 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Experience with Power Apps for building custom business applications and automating workflows 
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple requests5 
• Knowledge of DENSO’s organizational structure, digital transformation initiatives, and governance models 
• Adept at creating presentation materials that are clear, concise, and data driven 
• FinOps certification 
• 3+ years experience with FinOps platform management (Oracle preferred) 
• 3+ years experience leading FinOps strategy & cloud financial management best practices 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Strong knowledge of cost planning theories, processes and terms 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and good presentation skills 
• Strong customer service skills 
• Negotiation skills to resolve difficult or complicated situations 
• Advanced level of experience using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel 
• Analytical skills to interpret potentially conflicting data 
• Experience with Business Intelligence platforms 
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Project management 
• People management 

BENEFITS SUMMARY: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug plans  
• 401K with 4% Company Match