Operations and Business Case Lead

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Automotive

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career.

• Engineer audio systems and integrated technology platforms that augment the driving experience

• Combine ingenuity, in-depth research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence

• Advance in-vehicle infotainment, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment

About the Role

As the Operations and Business Case Lead, you will play a central role in shaping how the Software Products Business Unit plans, performs, and grows. This is a high-impact position that sits at the intersection of finance, sales, and business strategy — requiring equal parts analytical depth, operational discipline, and cross-functional leadership.

You will be responsible for Business Unit’s (BU) financial planning and P&L management, end-to-end sales operations & governance, and customer business cases — ensuring leadership team has the clarity and confidence to make data driven business decisions. You will lead a team and operate as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders across Finance, Sales, Product, and Business Growth.

What You Will Do

Business Planning, Cost Management & Profitability

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning, with clear performance tracking & variance analysis

• Own product level P&L analysis, across R&D, CoS, and SG&A (in alignment with product management)

• Prepare monthly P&L reporting across revenue, COS, gross margin, EBIT, discounts, rebates, and cost allocations for senior stakeholders

• Lead reconciliation of SAP CO-PA outputs with local controlling results to ensure consistent, reliable management reporting

• Anchor the annual planning cycle, aligning headcount, cost structures, and investments with 5-year strategic goals

Sales Operations, Pursuits Governance & Pipeline Management

• Own end-to-end governance across the full opportunity lifecycle — early pursuits, active deals, change requests, extensions, and renewals

• Maintain business unit-wide pipeline visibility through Salesforce dashboards and analytics, tracking pipeline value, maturity, stage integrity, and risk

• Chair and drive WinRoom and Pre‑GRO governance forums, ensuring discussions are decision‑oriented, inputs are complete and evidence‑based, risks are surfaced early, and clear outcomes and next steps are established

• Manage large scale Qlik Sense & Excel dashboards and derive actionable insights for leadership team

Business Case Management

• Lead end-to-end business case development across new opportunities, renewals, pricing changes, and commercial decisions — driving alignment with CAMs, Controllers, and cross-functional stakeholders on key assumptions including volumes, pricing, margins, service years, and EBIT targets

• Orchestrate cross-functional partnerships with Engineering, Product, Program Management, and Sales Operations to integrate scope, effort estimates, cost assumptions, quote-to-cash inputs, contract financials, and revenue recognition into robust, deal-ready financial frameworks

What You Need to Be Successful

• 8-10 years of experience in business operations, financial planning, or a similar function within a technology or software organization

• Strong financial acumen across P&L management, forecasting, profitability analysis, and cost controlling

• Experience with SAP, and related finance systems; proficiency in Salesforce for pipeline management and reporting

• Advanced Excel and data visualization skills

• Proven ability to manage pursuits or deals governance in a B2B environment, with familiarity with formal deal review forums

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills — able to simplify complexity and influence without authority across a matrixed, global organization

• High attention to detail, strong process orientation, and a track record of driving governance and operational discipline

• Experience leading and developing small-to-mid-sized teams and operational improvements

Bonus Points if You Have

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Finance, Business, or Strategy

• Professional finance certifications (CPA, CMA, CIMA, or equivalent)

• Exposure to formal deal approval processes such as WinRoom or GRO reviews. Advanced proficiency in financial systems and tools (e.g., SAP, advanced Excel, data visualization tools like Power BI)

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to work a minimum of 3 days per week in a hybrid office environment in our Novi, MI location

• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location

• Access to employee discounts on world-class products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more)

• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University

• Competitive wellness benefits

• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program

• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

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HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.