Sales Operations and Demand Planning Specialist, Ford Energy

Ford Energy; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford Energy in Dearborn, Michigan, is seeking a Sales Operations & Demand Planning Specialist to translate pipeline activity into demand signals for S&OP and executive decision‑making. You will oversee demand forecasting models, NDA workflows, and sales automation tools to align customer commitments with operational capacity.

The role requires 5+ years in sales operations or demand planning, strong analytics, and experience with Salesforce, Power BI, and Excel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in business, supply chain, finance, operations, engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in sales operations, demand planning, forecasting, or related functions.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to handle complex datasets.
• Experience with Salesforce, CRM platforms, or forecasting systems and advanced Excel skills.
• Experience preparing executive‑level reporting and presentations.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience supporting S&OP or integrated business planning processes.
• Knowledge of demand planning and forecasting methodologies.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar BI tools.
• Industry experience in energy, manufacturing, battery storage, or industrial equipment.
• Familiarity with process automation and digital transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Translate deal‑level pipeline activity into actionable demand signals for S&OP processes.
• Maintain pipeline data integrity and manage NDA workflows.
• Support sales automation tools and forecasting dashboards.
• Develop and maintain demand forecasting models, assumptions, and reporting tools.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and identify risks, constraints, and opportunities.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual demand planning cycles.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Sales and S&OP teams.
• Provide visibility into customer demand trends, capacity requirements, and commitments.
• Support executive reviews and leadership decision‑making with data‑driven insights.
• Lead or support special projects focused on growth and process optimization.

Skills

Sales operations

Demand planning

Forecasting

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

S&OP

Executive presentations

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Salesforce

CRM platforms

Power BI

Tableau

Excel

Job description

Job Description

Ford Energy is a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company dedicated to accelerating U.S. energy independence. Leveraging Ford’s century of manufacturing excellence and world‑class battery energy storage systems (BESS) technology, Ford Energy designs, manufactures, and services grid‑scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems (BESS). Ford Energy is uniquely positioned to capture the growing demand for reliable, US‑built energy storage systems. We are not just building batteries; we are building the infrastructure for the next generation of the American grid.

Why Ford Energy? At Ford Energy, you have the backing of an industrial manufacturing powerhouse with the agility of a dedicated energy startup offering industry leading technology. We offer a competitive compensation package including performance‑based bonuses, Ford vehicle discounts, and the opportunity to shape the energy strategy of one of the world's most iconic brands.

In this position... The Sales Operations & Demand Planning Specialist serves as the vital link between Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Sourcing, and Finance to enable scalable commercial growth. This role translates deal‑level pipeline activity into actionable demand signals that drive Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), executive decision‑making, and operational capacity alignment. By overseeing demand forecasting models, maintaining pipeline data integrity, managing NDA workflows, and supporting sales automation tools, this position converts complex commercial inputs into strategic business insights that ensure alignment between customer commitments and organizational execution.

Responsibilities

• Demand Planning & Forecast Management
• Demand Data Integrity: Own consolidation, maintenance, and reporting of commercial pipeline demand data.
• S&OP Demand Signals: Translate sales opportunities, forecasts, and customer commitments into actionable demand signals for S&OP processes.
• Forecasting Models: Develop and maintain demand forecasting models, assumptions, and reporting tools.
• Accuracy & Risk Assessment: Monitor forecast accuracy and identify risks, constraints, and upside opportunities.
• Planning Cycles: Support monthly, quarterly, and annual demand planning cycles.
• Primary Liaison: Serve as the primary liaison between Sales and S&OP teams.
• Demand Conversion: Convert deal‑level information into volume, timing, and product demand requirements.
• Cross‑Functional Alignment: Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Sourcing teams to align demand assumptions.
• Demand Visibility: Provide visibility into customer demand trends, capacity requirements, and commercial commitments.
• Executive Insights: Support executive reviews and leadership decision‑making through data‑driven insights.
• Pipeline Dashboards: Manage sales pipeline reporting and forecast dashboards.
• Standardization: Standardize pipeline stage definitions and forecast confidence methodologies.
• KPI Analytics: Create KPI dashboards, performance reports, and forecasting analytics.
• Trend Analysis: Analyze conversion rates, sales cycle trends, and demand patterns.
• Growth Initiatives: Support strategic planning and business growth initiatives with quantitative analysis.
• NDA Workflow Management: Manage customer and partner Non‑Disclosure Agreement (NDA) workflows, including tracking NDA status, approvals, execution dates, and renewals.
• RFP & RFI Bid Support: Provide Sales and Sales Operations bid support for completion of RFPs and RFIs.
• Commercial Communications: Manage and distribute news updates, operational announcements, and key commercial information.
• System Enhancements: Support implementation of CRM, forecasting, and lead management enhancements.
• Lead Automation: Assist with deployment and monitoring of automated lead generation tools.
• Process Documentation: Develop standardized operating procedures, training materials, and process documentation.
• Efficiency Optimization: Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, data quality, and reporting automation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, and Executive Leadership.
• Commercial Alignment: Facilitate communication between commercial and operational organizations.
• Special Projects: Lead or support special projects focused on growth, forecasting, and process optimization.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in sales operations, demand planning, forecasting, supply chain planning, business analytics, or related functions.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with demonstrated capability in handling complex datasets.
• System & Excel Expertise: Experience with Salesforce, CRM platforms, or forecasting systems, combined with advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Executive Presentations: Experience preparing executive‑level reporting and presentations.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities with the capability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• S&OP Process Knowledge: Experience supporting S&OP or integrated business planning processes.
• Forecasting Methodologies: In‑depth knowledge of demand planning and forecasting methodologies.
• BI Tools: Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar business intelligence analytics tools.
• Industry Experience: Experience in energy, manufacturing, battery storage, or industrial equipment industries.
• Digital Transformation: Familiarity with process automation and digital transformation initiatives.

Even better, you may have...

• Leadership Attributes
  • Strategic & Analytical Rigor: Combines deep business acumen with quantitative analysis to elevate demand forecast accuracy, standardize pipeline metrics, and align commercial demand with operational capacity.
  • Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Acts as a trusted liaison across Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance, effectively communicating insights to executive leadership and driving enterprise alignment.
  • Process Excellence & Innovation: Champions operational efficiency and data hygiene through sales process automation, standardized S&OP workflows, compliant NDA management, and continuous optimization.
  • Results‑Oriented Project Leadership: Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and strong project ownership to consistently deliver timely reporting and execute strategic growth initiatives.
• Location & Travel
  • This position is based in Dearborn, Michigan, with domestic travel required as needed.

• 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
• 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 salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$166,200.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Company: As Ford establishes a wholly owned subsidiary focused on Battery Energy Storage Systems, this role will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to the subsidiary within one year.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.

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