Job Description

We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Operations Budget Specialist to join our Product Development Team. In this role, you will partner directly with engineering function leaders to support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities related to North America Engineering initiatives. Unlike traditional finance roles, this position is embedded in the operations department and focused on aligning financial resources with operational goals, ensuring performance accountability across teams and processes.

• Partner with leadership to develop, maintain, and refine budgets that support Engineering organization goals and strategic initiatives
• Track and analyze actuals vs. budget across all Engineering functions
• Identify cost drivers, analyze variances, and recommend corrective actions to meet efficiency targets
• Support Engineering initiatives and strategic projects with financial impact analysis
• Collaborate on business cases and ROI assessments for proposed investments in Engineering tools, training, or resources
• Develop reports and presentations for leadership to communicate budget performance, risks and opportunities
• Assist in preparing materials for operational reviews, business reviews and executive updates
• Work with finance in cases where cross-functional alignment is required
• Identify and implement process improvements related to budget management including tracking, reporting and standardization

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in operations management, Finance, Accounting, Engineering or Business-related field
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in budgeting, financial analysis, or operational analytics— preferably within an OEM, Tier 1 automotive, or operations-heavy environment (e.g., supply chain, manufacturing, logistics)
• Strong proficiency in Excel, SAP, and experience with BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate operational strategies into financial outcomes
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with a track record of working cross-functionally
• Demonstrated ability to create clear, compelling, and visually polished executive-level presentations
• Proven track record of presenting to all levels within an organization, including executive leadership