Now Hiring - Manufacturing Business Planning Analyst in Torrance, CA

Location: Torrance, CA

Workstyle: Hybrid

What Makes a Honda, is Who Makes a Honda

Honda has a clear vision for the future, and it’s a joyful one. We are looking for individuals with the skills, courage, persistence, and dreams that will help us reach our future-focused goals.

At our core is innovation. Honda is constantly innovating and developing solutions to drive our business with record success. We strive to be a company that serves as a source of “power” that supports people around the world who are trying to do things based on their own initiative and that helps people expand their own potential. To this end, Honda strives to realize “the joy and freedom of mobility” by developing new technologies and an innovative approach to achieve a “zero environmental footprint.”

We are looking for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, continuous improvement values, and a strong work ethic to join our team.

If your goals and values align with Honda’s, we want you to join our team to Bring the Future!

About this Position:

Lead the development and PDCA of the division’s business plan activities and report results to top management to guide decision-making and strategic planning. Assist the NA Planner in capturing, consolidating, organizing, and communicating the business’s strategic direction and activities across both companies (AHM & HDMA). Communicate directly with top management and cross-functionally to correlate mid-term objectives. Develop and socialize regional calendars and visual communication tools to engage buy-in on the planning process.

Responsibilities include:

• Delight Customers and Build trust using quality: Develop and implement software quality improvement processes during design. Bring the best practices in the industry and continually update.

• Regional Planning Division Business Planning Lead

o Independently work with Department Managers and above to develop a 3-year strategic plan that will improve the business characteristics of Regional Planning while also aligning/supporting with the North American strategic direction. Establish KPIs that will drive desired behavior and will help in the achievement of the overall North American targets. The exclusion of initiatives or incorrect KPI measures can result in delay or failure to achieve strategic goals. There are no standardized practices and procedures for this individual to follow. The work is ever-changing and will require independent thought and judgment to correctly identify key activities to support the strategic direction and provide greater visibility. Although this position will report to me, the expectation is I will not have to provide detailed instructions on how to perform the process or offer continuous and close supervision. The expectation is the individual will oversee the entire process independently.

o Perform independent research on the external environment (political, environmental, auto industry, etc.) and internal environment (associate engagement, electrification, sustainability, joint ventures, etc.) to independently realize challenges/risks that require a mid-term initiative to counter-measure exposure. To formulate such a plan, the individual will need to be a strong critical thinker and have the ability to make logical connections between ideas.

o Manage quarterly evaluation of the division’s KPIs. Develop GAP analysis for targets missed and report findings with proposed countermeasures to upper management. Manage the countermeasure activity to ensure the division closes the KPI GAP.

o Independently facilitate cross-functional correlation meetings surrounding identified strategic initiatives that require external support to result in successful execution. Keys to success in this area will be the ability to influence others and acquire a deep understanding of mid-term initiatives (smaller picture) while being able to explain how they support the overall North American strategic direction (big picture). The inability to identify and influence areas needed to support will result in failure or delay of initiative achievement.

o Create materials and references for executive meetings to clearly communicate the logic and evolution of the mid-term strategic plan. Present materials to EVP, BULs, and Managers of Corporate Services. Anticipate inquiries and come with additional prepared documentation to support those anticipated questions in advance. Thinking ahead, being prepared, and having the ability to tailor the message/materials to the right audience is the key to success.

o Develop tools and a process for tracking, managing, and reporting operational activities for the division. Individuals will be responsible for managing the process once established.

o Identify areas for improvement and implement a sustainable solution.

o Above activities are not routine in nature, but part of an ever-evolving annual process that encounters many unexpected challenges and changes. Expectation will be this individual is agile and can independently evolve their process with these encounters.

o Lead the budget & resource process in parallel with the above responsibilities. Manage division budget and report to upper management monthly. Research any variances, report-out countermeasures, implement, and manage countermeasures to close the variance gap. Oversee the process while creating logical connections between strategic initiatives and resources/funds.

• Regional Business Planning Coordination: Develop and maintain calendars, visual communications tools, etc. to ensure clear communication of Regional Business Planning Events and requirements.

o Gather Story Chart and Business Plan data from representatives across the region. Review for completeness and accuracy and analysis in relation to Honda’s North America strategic targets for both the Auto product line and Common. Maintain information gathered, analysis performed, and supporting documentation of themes and processes. Develop and implement a process to continue the coordination of data across the region as the mid-term evolves.

o Voice opinion on strategic issues and/or opportunities that could affect future growth and profitability.

o Communicate strategy across the region and foster cross-company information exchange and collaboration on strategic initiatives.

o Create materials and reference documentation for Regional Business Planner meetings to clearly communicate requirements, deliverables, and/or regional strategic direction. Present materials and anticipate inquiries. Come with additional prepared materials and references to support those anticipated questions in advance. Thinking ahead, being prepared, and having the ability to tailor the message/materials to the right audience is the key to success.

o Identify areas for improvement and implement a sustainable solution. Socialize improvement and gain consensus for implementation across the region. Individuals must be strong in the area of influence and communication for this responsibility to be successfully achieved.

o Independently research options and best practices for a business plan collaboration tool that can be utilized and rolled out to the region in the near future. Gather data, develop materials, and present findings to upper management, including logic supporting your recommendation. Socialize and gain consensus across the region with those involved in the business planning process. Independently work with ISD on development, UAT, and implementation.

o Above activities are not routine in nature, but part of an ever-evolving annual process that encounters many unexpected challenges and changes. Expectation will be this individual is agile and can independently pivot when needed.

o Secretariat Coordinator: Independently coordinate REGIONAL schedules, timing, and logistics with various parties [NAROB, VPs, Business Planners, etc.) for both recurring monthly/annual meetings and ad-hoc meetings (NAROB, BRM, BIM Development, etc.), Develop meeting material and visual communication tools. Audit meeting topics to ensure alignment with NAROB Guidelines (Legal Document) and clearly document interpretation and conclusion. Ensure required documents are maintained and archived to comply with owned SOX Control. Track and coordinate required return topics identified by NAROB to ensure they are done timely and completely.

o Independent work on the associate’s own initiative to better understand Honda alignments, processes, and business goals.

Who we are seeking:

We are looking for qualified people and diverse backgrounds and experiences, open minds, and a disciplined work ethic, to bring the future to Honda.

Required Work Experience:

• 3+ years of similar work experience; business administration, business strategy, and/or project management or related field.

• Foundation of financial acumen

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Desired skills:

• Ability to communicate clearly across all levels of the organization.

• Good customer service and collaboration skills.

• Ability to use both visual and verbal communication tools to clarify situations and build toward common understanding and consensus.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks.

• Flexibility to adjust to meet dynamics in the market, between companies, and within the workplace

What differentiates Honda and makes us an employer of choice?

Total Rewards:

• Competitive base salary of $64,480 to $90,200

• Pay will be based on several variables that include, but are not limited to geographic location, work experience, education, etc.

• Annual Bonus

• Industry-leading Benefit Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision)

• Paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, sick time, and personal days

• 401K Plan with company match + additional contribution

Career Growth:

• Advancement opportunities

• Career mobility

• Education reimbursement for continued learning

• Training and Development programs

Additional Offerings:

• Wellbeing program

• Community service and engagement programs

• Product programs

• Free drinks onsite

Honda is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.