Manager, Business Planning

Function: NA IT Digital Center

Department: Organization Change Management (404020)

Location: Maryville, TN or Southfield, MI

Reports To: Sr. Manager, Organizational Change Management

JOB SUMMARY:

The Business Planning Manager is responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing business plans that align with organizational goals. This role supports cross-functional teams by providing insights through financial analysis, forecasting, and operational planning. The manager ensures that business decisions are data-driven and aligned with company objectives.

The role also plays a key part in enabling the responsible adoption of AI‑enabled capabilities across enterprise IT by embedding AI considerations into planning, governance, performance measurement, and value realization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic & Annual Planning

• Lead the development of long-term plans supporting DENSO global and regional initiatives
• Lead annual planning process for ITDC – establishing timeline, guidelines/policies, data collection tools, conduct hearings, prepare material for NA board approval of annual plan
• Support executive decision‑making with clear business cases, scenario analysis, and strategic insights
• Drive cost optimization initiatives while balancing performance, risk, and innovation

Financial Reporting & Oversight

• Own IT budget planning, forecasting, and variance analysis in partnership with CPD
• Analyze financial data and operational performance, working with leadership team to ensure desire results are achieved
• Monitor and report monthly financial results - expense, capital, labor, benefits, and income
• Drive monthly and quarterly business updates and reviews with senior leadership
• Prepare and present business insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders and executive teams
• Monitor IT spend, cost drivers, and benefits realization across programs and services
• Enable standard tools, templates, and methodologies for reporting

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with department heads and ITDC executive team to ensure budget adherence
• Lead development and alignment of change initiatives and adoption strategies across ITDC
• Maintain clear documentation of planning processes, direction, and decisions including calendar-based deliverables and recurring events
• Act as a trusted advisor to IT leadership and business partners on planning, prioritization, and trade‑offs

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in business planning, financial analysis, or strategic operations or related
• 3+ years of leadership experience in business planning, accounting, or finance role
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Adept at creating presentation materials that are clear, concise, and data driven
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and overall O365 applications and environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Power Apps for building custom business applications and automating workflows
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple requests5
• Knowledge of DENSO’s organizational structure, digital transformation initiatives, and governance models
• Adept at creating presentation materials that are clear, concise, and data driven
• FinOps certification
• 3+ years experience with FinOps platform management (Oracle preferred)
• 3+ years experience leading FinOps strategy & cloud financial management best practices

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of cost planning theories, processes and terms
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and good presentation skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Negotiation skills to resolve difficult or complicated situations
• Advanced level of experience using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Analytical skills to interpret potentially conflicting data
• Experience with Business Intelligence platforms
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Project management
• People management

BENEFITS SUMMARY:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug plans
• 401K with 4% Company Match
• Vacation/PTO and 13 paid Holidays
• Bonus Program
• FSA/HSA and Dependent Care Programs
• Company provided Life, Disability, ADD and Business Travel Insurance
• Various No Cost Wellness & Chronic Condition Management Programs
• Various Optional Insurance programs such as legal, identity theft, critical illness, etc.
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career Development and Ongoing Training
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Spotlight and Recognition Program
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Onsite Fitness Center (vary by location)
• Cafeteria and food markets (vary by location)
• Onsite Health Clinic and Pharmacy (vary by location)

Annual Salary: $110,000 – $153,000