Lead Business Analyst, Commercial Vehicle Programs

Ford; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative automotive firm in Basildon is seeking a Lead Business Analyst to leverage data for critical business decisions and collaborate with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a related field, extensive experience in a data-focused role, and advanced skills in tools like Excel and Power BI. This role offers the chance to shape the future of commercial vehicles in a dynamic and diverse environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a program, product-development, or data-focused role.
• Confident communicator who can switch seamlessly between engineers, financial analysts and senior leadership.
• Proven ability to identify and solve complex business challenges using data-driven insights.

Responsibilities

• Guide and manage the workload of the analytical team.
• Act as the single point of contact for cross-functional stakeholders.
• Oversee the analysis of complex data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Develop and maintain intuitive dashboards and executive summaries.

Skills

Advanced Excel skills

Power BI

Data analysis tools

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Relationship building

Education

Degree in Engineering, Data Science, Business Analytics, or similar

Job description

Are you a highly analytical and influential leader passionate about leveraging data to drive critical business decisions? Do you thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment where your expertise directly impacts the future of iconic vehicles? Ford's Commercial Vehicle team is expanding, and we're looking for a Lead Business Analyst to play a pivotal role in shaping our next generation of V4 and V8 Transit Platforms. Commercial vehicles are at the heart of our business, and we're building a brand-new, diverse team dedicated to facilitating and delivering critical change control, cost, weight, and Bill of Material (BoM) activities, all aligned with program timing. This is a unique opportunity to lead the integration between our UK-based functional engineering, purchasing, and finance teams, and an offsite team of expert analysts. We are actively fostering a centre of excellence, seeking individuals with unique and specialized skillsets. We encourage you to apply if you possess expertise in any of the desirable skills listed below, even if you don't have experience in all of them - your distinct contribution is what we value!

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Mentorship: Guide and manage the day-to-day workload and priorities of our talented offsite analytical team.
• Strategic Liaison: Act as the single point of contact, seamlessly connecting cross-functional stakeholders (engineering, finance, purchasing, etc.) with the Hardware Integration Management (HWIM) team.
• Data-Driven Insights: Oversee the collation and analysis of complex data, translating insights into clear, actionable recommendations for critical gateway and executive forums.
• Performance Ownership: Take ownership of change control and BoM KPIs, ensuring process adherence, representing the HWIM team in reviews, challenging assumptions, and expertly managing trade-offs.
• Powerful Storytelling: Develop and maintain intuitive dashboards, scorecards, and executive summaries, transforming complex data into persuasive, action-oriented narratives.
• Digital Transformation: Champion and deploy cutting-edge digital tools (e.g., Engineering Out of WERS, Power BI, Python-based analytics) to establish a single source of truth, enhance data quality and transparency, and accelerate decision-making.
• Knowledge Sharing: Share best practices in process, data analysis, and digital tools across our cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

We're looking for a proactive problem-solver with a passion for continuous improvement and a drive to own their deliverables from start to finish.

• A Degree in Engineering, Data Science, Business Analytics, Program Management, or a similar field.
• Extensive experience in a program, product-development, or data-focused role.
• Advanced Excel skills and working knowledge of Power BI are essential.
• Confident communicator who can switch seamlessly between engineers, financial analysts and senior leadership.
• Strong relationship building skills, able to build rapid rapport and trust.
• Proven ability to identify and solve complex business challenges using data-driven insights and advanced skills in data analysis tools and methodologies. You can simplify complex information without sacrificing accuracy, crafting compelling data-driven stories.
• Proactive problem-solver, owns their deliverables and autonomously closes items to deadline.
• Proven ability to develop and drive adherence to processes.

Why Join Ford?

At Ford, you'll be part of a global team that's redefining the future of mobility. You'll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on vital commercial vehicle programs, contributing to a diverse and innovative environment. We believe in empowering our employees to take ownership, drive change, and continuously grow their careers.

Ready to accelerate your career with Ford? Apply today and help us build the future of commercial vehicles!

The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favorable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.

As part of our pre-employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check. This will be conducted in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.

This position is based in Dunton, Essex and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton office for typically 4 days a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements.

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