Product Planning Unit Lead

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!

Job Purpose

Product Planning Unit Head leads 2W / PE / L&G / Connectivity business unit plans & resources based on company objectives, monitors unit capital investments and operational expenditures and directs unit overall performance, leads countermeasure activity to improve as needed.

Product Planning Unit Head is responsible to leading the  team in creation create and implementation of 2W / PE/L&G detailed model planning for the US Market and the coordination of the line-up with HM and overall coordination and management of the product planning process, including coordination with Japan.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and execute associate goals and performance standards and department goals. Conduct associate performance reviews to judge results and provide feedback to direct reports for instruction on personal development. Lead hiring process to identify/select candidates for sustaining target headcount level and strengthening department output.
• Lead team in creation of 2W /PE/L&G overall product line strategy and year over year model planning.  Align within AH (mainly with BMO & Sales) on all line-up and development plans, and then coordinate the activity with HM Japan. Actively participate in product concept & design development with members from related departments.
• Supervise and actively mentor unit team members. Apply expertise in overall business, product development and technical specifications to lead the team in balancing priorities, overcoming obstacles, realizing business budget / plan objectives.
• Provide insights and recommendations.  Act as subject matter expert in developing and communicating product descriptions, specifications, features and pricing details and explain product role, customer targets and business objectives to Development Execution and Sales Departments at negotiated timing within development cycle.

 Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
• 12+ years relevant experience is necessary, preferably in Powersports or Automotive field. 
• 6+ Years supervisory/project leadership in a similar organization
• Experience of planning, managing and organizing resources within short / medium timescales within the overall policy framework.
• Strong ability to balanced decision making with little information or lead time
• Ability to operate with high level of confidentiality
• Strong leadership, coaching and mentoring skills
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Strong analytical skills (logical thought process, reasonability, timeliness)
• Strong time management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills (logical thought process, reasonability, timeliness)
• Effective negotiation skills and the ability to summarize key issues for management review
• Competent in understanding product development schedules
• Distinguish performance and develop high potential leaders
• Broad understanding of the total BU operation, and how Product Planning’s activity is affected by (or effect upon) other divisions’ activity.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.   

Workstyle

• Travel: Average of 1 ~ 3 times per month, depending on workload demand.
• Physical: Primarily deskwork, frequent keyboarding.
• Hazards: Maybe exposed to hazardous chemicals & equipment, including on/off road riding/driving.
• Overtime: Expected based on project demands/responsibilities

What differentiates Honda and makes us an employer of choice?

Total Rewards: 
•    Competitive Base Salary (pay will be based on several variables that include, but not limited to geographic location, work experience, etc.)
•    Regional Bonus (when applicable)
•    Manager Lease Car Program (No Cost - Car, Maintenance, and Insurance included)
•    Industry-leading Benefit Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, Rx)
•    Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, shutdown
•    Company Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability 
•    401K Plan with company match + additional contribution
•    Relocation assistance (if eligible)

Career Growth:
•    Advancement Opportunities
•    Career Mobility  
•    Education Reimbursement for Continued learning
•    Training and Development Programs 

Additional Offerings:
•    Lifestyle Account
•    Childcare Reimbursement Account
•    Elder Care Support
•    Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Repayment
•    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.