Job Summary:
The FP&A Manager is responsible for driving financial planning, forecasting, and performance analysis for an automotive manufacturing operation. This role partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Commercial teams to deliver actionable insights that improve profitability, cost efficiency, and capital deployment. The ideal candidate has strong manufacturing finance experience, understands automotive cost drivers, and can translate complex financial data into clear business recommendations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Financial Planning & Forecasting
- Lead the annual budget, rolling forecast, and long-range plan for manufacturing and related functions
- Develop and maintain detailed financial models covering:
- Production volumes and mix
- Material, labor, and overhead costs
- Capital expenditures and depreciation
- Ensure alignment between operational plans (S&OP) and financial forecasts
Manufacturing & Cost Analysis
- Own and analyze standard costing, absorption, and variance analysis (PPV, usage, labor efficiency, overhead)
- Partner with plant leadership to:
- Identify cost reduction and productivity opportunities
- Track savings from lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
- Monitor key automotive cost drivers including:
- Raw materials and commodity exposure
- Scrap, yield, and warranty costs
- Capacity utilization and fixed-cost absorption
Business Partnership & Decision Support
- Serve as a trusted finance partner to Plant Managers, Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering
- Translate financial results into clear narratives for operational and executive audiences
Reporting & Performance Management
- Prepare and present monthly financial reviews, highlighting risks, opportunities, and corrective actions
- Complete and review monthly balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring reconciling items are identified, supported, and resolved timely
- Prepare the three primary financial statements: Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cash Flows, ensuring accuracy and consistency with underlying financial data
- Develop and maintain KPIs and dashboards focused on:
- Margin performance
- Cost per unit
- Working capital and inventory turns
- Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistency of financial data
Capital & Cash Flow Management
- Monitor capex execution vs. plan and post-investment performance
- Support working capital optimization (inventory, payables, receivables)
Leadership & Process Improvement
- Coach and develop FP&A analysts
- Drive improvements in forecasting accuracy, reporting automation, and financial processes
Required Experience, Education, Skills, and Abilities for Consideration as a Candidate:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field
- 7+ years of progressive finance experience, including manufacturing FP&A
- Strong understanding of:
- Standard costing and variance analysis
- High-volume, capital-intensive manufacturing environments
- Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills
- Proven ability to partner with non-finance stakeholders
Preferred or Additional, Experience, Education, Skills and Abilities:
- Strategic thinking with strong execution mindset
- Ability to simplify complex financial concepts
- Data-driven decision making
- Strong communication and influencing skills
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments