Lifecycle Cost Manager

Ford Motor • Allen Park, MI

8d • $141,700 - $268,300 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Lifecycle Cost Manager (LL5) for Unit Programs directs supervisors and analysts responsible for competitive material costs across Ford’s global propulsion technologies, including internal combustion engines, transmissions, electric drive units, and high-voltage battery packs. The role applies Ford’s “Four Lenses” framework to set material cost targets and works with Motion Tech Strategy, Tech Platform Planning, Finance, Supply Chain, Engineering, and program teams to optimize cost performance from concept through program approval.

This position owns and leads lifecycle cost management processes for unit and module programs, integrating global cost processes with product development and cycle planning. It involves financial analysis, sourcing and supplier collaboration, digital cost tools, competitive benchmarking, scenario planning, and continuous cost optimization. The role is hybrid and requires onsite work four or more days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• 10 or more years of progressive experience in automotive product development.
• 5 or more years of experience supervising and leading technical or analytical teams.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related quantitative field.
• A proven track record leading large, complex teams or cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in competitive automotive design analysis.
• Direct experience in automotive cost engineering, material costing, or financial analysis within an automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier.
• Strong integration of engineering principles, program management methodologies, and business acumen.

Responsibilities

• Lead lifecycle target setting across multiple unit and module programs using the “Four Lenses” approach, in collaboration with Program Teams, Product Finance, and Motion Tech / Tech Platform Planning & Strategy.
• Own and lead execution of lifecycle cost management for Ford Motors unit and module programs.
• Drive global cost process integration and align it with product development and cycle planning strategies.
• Conduct financial analyses and lead trade-off decisions to help programs achieve material cost targets.
• Support source-to-target workstreams and manage cost changes from initial commitment through launch to achieve material cost objectives at Start of Production (SOP).
• Lead supplier workshops and implement “Design for Process” initiatives to identify and resolve potential cost gaps before final supplier pricing.
• Use digital ecosystem tools managed by Global Total Cost to establish cost baselines, track physical content and sourcing changes, conduct competitive benchmarking, and generate cost estimates.
• Develop ad-hoc “what-if” cost studies to inform strategic and tactical decisions.
• Champion and implement in-cycle cost-reduction ideas where the business case is strongest, and integrate promising ideas from program status reviews into earlier development phases.
• Monitor global competitive benchmarking insights to challenge and optimize Ford’s content and requirement specifications.
• Direct a team of supervisors and analysts.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized back-up child care.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager