Sr. Program Manager, Vehicle Line Planning (Battery Electric Vehicles)

FHLB Des Moines; United States; Remote; USD 104,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a Senior Program Manager to spearhead strategies for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). This pivotal role involves developing a market equation that enhances product value and transforms the driving experience. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Mazda Japan, to ensure alignment with business objectives and customer needs. This position offers an exciting opportunity to influence the future of automotive technology while working in a dynamic environment that values creativity and strategic thinking. If you are passionate about driving change in the automotive industry, this role is for you!

Qualifications

• 5+ years in automotive/OEM industry with strategic planning experience.
• Strong knowledge of BEV and technology impacting customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of BEV business strategy for redesigned customer experience.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure alignment with market positioning.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Cross-functional Team Leadership

Problem-solving Skills

Time Management

Interpersonal Skills

Decision-making Skills

Intellectual Curiosity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business

MBA degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Sr. Program Manager, Vehicle Line Planning (Battery Electric Vehicles)

Job Description:

The Vehicle Line Planning team is responsible for enhancing product value through development of product and business strategies for each carline. The Senior Program Manager, Vehicle Line Planning (BEV) will develop strategies for Mazda’s BEVs. The introduction of Mazda’s first high-volume BEV program will play a critical role in transforming the driving experience and reshaping the business model for both inside and outside Mazda BEVs.

The Senior Program Manager must be able to develop an innovative approach to the market equation (ME), including leveraging in-car and software capabilities. This role will be pivotal in re-imagining the product and brand experience, while contributing to discussions regarding the new business structure with key stakeholders. Additionally, this role will require groundbreaking solutions, a cross functional approach, and a deep understanding of Mazda’s business strategy, covering areas such as compliance, portfolio design, production footprint, product development, manufacturing, and product cycle planning. Collaborating closely with Mazda Japan, e-Mazda, Product, R&D, Technology, and key Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) business groups, this role must ensure MNAO delivers a compelling product proposition, enhances product value, and creates an ME strategy that fully aligns with the redesigned customer journey.

BEV Program and Business Strategy Development - 40%

• Lead the development of an all-new, ME approach for the BEV business strategy to support re-designed customer experience and business structure.
• Contribute to multiple areas of BEV business strategy development including compliance, portfolio design, production footprint, product development, manufacturing, and product cycle planning.
• Develop BEV product strategies to identify market demand/target customer and implement a pricing strategy that creates value and improves customer, brand, and business growth.
• Partner with Operations teams and BEV business model transformation task force to launch go-to-market strategy including aligning vehicle content hierarchy, pricing structure, volume/mix targets, and revenue planning to achieve business and brand objectives.
• Establish key competitive benchmarks to ensure Mazda-unique competitiveness in both the Internal Combustion Engine market and emerging BEV/Tech segment.
• Partner closely with Mazda Japan teams and 3rd party as key stakeholders to ensure program development alignment with market positioning targets.

Milestone Approvals - 20%

• Influence executives and stakeholders to gain support, secure resources, and ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Prepare product development milestone approval documents and deliver effective communication plans, which are presented at monthly executive management approval meetings.
• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders including MNAO and MC/e-Mazda to deliver efficient and accurate output aligning with plan and timeline.

Product Information Management - 20%

• Prepare, communicate, and support operation and dealers to launch and sell cars.
• Ensure sales operations and marketing teams receive timely and accurate product information including vehicle order guides, pricing documents, product specifications.
• Serve as an advisor for product, customer experience and business of BEVs/tech segment.

Other Responsibilities - 20%

• Utilize and leverage various data and information sources, both internal and external for analytical support including market data, competitor data, and customer data.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing processes and tools for advanced product development.

Qualifications and Other Requirements:

Education (Minimum):

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Strategic Planning, Project Management, or related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience. MBA degree is a plus.

Experience:

Minimum five (5) years of experience in automotive/OEM industry or related field required to include:

• Three (3) years’ experience in strategic mid/long-term planning and implementation required.
• Experience in automotive or consumer product planning or related role is highly desired.
• Experience with BEVs or related start-ups to design a viable business model with an innovative mindset is highly desired.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.
• Self-starter, flexible thinker, and outstanding communicator comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and adept at influencing diverse personalities and viewpoints.
• Innate intellectual curiosity.
• Advanced knowledge of BEV, Technology and Ecosystem impacting the customer experience.
• Strong analytical, statistical, and data-driven mind-set to derive insights and analysis from multiple data sources to form solutions to problems.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and provide project management support.
• Clear understanding of the brand vision and how each strategy interrelates to achieve the vision.
• Ability to develop logical business proposals through problem-solving skills by forming effective strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across departments.
• Ability to influence and guide colleagues, team members, and executives.
• Skilled in time management with the ability to organize and manage multiple projects and/or tasks across multiple departments, often with competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, with advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint, with an emphasis on executive-level reporting.
• This position requires availability during Pacific Standard Time (PST) business hours to ensure effective collaboration with internal teams and stakeholders; Applicants must be able to align their work schedule accordingly.

Travel:

Travel as required by business needs.

#LI-Remote

We support Remote work in the following states:

Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.

Pay Range:

$104,200.00-$158,950.00

Salary to be determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Learn more about MNAO’s comprehensive benefits package here.

About Us

Mazda was founded in 1920 in Hiroshima, Japan. We are a multi-national company that embraces and celebrates multicultural environments.

We are rebels in the automotive space which is part of our DNA that we call the Challenger Spirit.

We put our customers first and offer a unique customer experience. Mazda’s products combine technology, design, and the joy of driving pleasure.