Finance Business Partner - Manufacturing

About Lucid

At Lucid, we are pioneering the future of mobility by delivering exceptional automotive experiences through relentless innovation and technological advancement. Our mission is to drive the world forward by redefining the standards of performance, sustainability, and design. Built on Lucid’s proprietary technology and a groundbreaking software-defined vehicle architecture, our award-winning vehicles—including the Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity—embody our unwavering commitment to the "Compromise Nothing™" philosophy. This means delivering unparalleled range, performance, and luxury without sacrificing sustainability, engineering excellence, or integrity. By maintaining deep vertical integration, we oversee every aspect of design, engineering, and production in-house across our global offices and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Our diverse teams, drawn from industries worldwide, share a singular dedication to pushing boundaries and achieving excellence. By joining Lucid, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mobility and redefining what’s possible in the automotive industry.

Position Overview

As a Finance Business Partner within our Manufacturing division, you will serve as a strategic financial leader, driving financial planning, cost target setting, and advanced cost modeling to enhance manufacturing competitiveness. You will own financial reporting and variance analysis, delivering actionable insights that inform both operational and strategic decision-making. Your role will involve leading business case development, investment analysis, benchmarking, and cost optimization initiatives. As a key finance partner to the manufacturing team, you will ensure alignment and maintain rigorous cost discipline across all operational areas, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Planning, Target Setting & Cost Modeling

• Define and track manufacturing cost targets, including HPU (Hours Per Unit) and CPU (Cost Per Unit), ensuring alignment with the overall business plan.
• Establish and maintain detailed, shop-level cost centers across Stamping, Body, Paint, Assembly, Powertrain, Battery, Utilities, and Logistics, ensuring accuracy and governance.
• Manage standard costing processes and perform variance analysis at the shop level to identify discrepancies and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain vehicle and model-level cost targets based on production volumes, ensuring financial feasibility and competitiveness.
• Monitor key manufacturing KPIs such as OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), throughput, rework, downtime, and scrap, linking performance to financial impact.

Financial Reporting & Variance Analysis

• Prepare monthly financial reports comparing actuals, budget, and forecast to provide a clear financial performance overview.
• Perform detailed variance analysis and provide root-cause insights to support data-driven decision-making.
• Consolidate and reconcile financial data across planning and reporting cycles to ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance.

Investment Analysis & Business Case Development

• Develop ROI (Return on Investment) and NPV (Net Present Value) analyses to evaluate manufacturing investments and cost optimization initiatives.
• Build comprehensive profitability models, including payback periods and return metrics, to support senior management decision-making.
• Provide structured and data-driven financial evaluations to guide strategic investments and operational improvements.

Cost Optimization & Benchmarking

• Conduct benchmarking analyses to assess cost competitiveness and identify best practices within the industry.
• Support and drive cost reduction initiatives across manufacturing operations to enhance efficiency and profitability.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements, presenting actionable recommendations to leadership.

Business Partnering & Decision Support

• Partner closely with manufacturing operations teams to align financial and operational objectives, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment.
• Support labor demand planning and overhead expense strategies to optimize resource allocation and reduce waste.
• Provide clear financial insights, analysis, and recommendations to support key business decisions and strategic initiatives.

Minimum Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, or CMA are preferred.
• 3–6 years of progressive finance experience, with a strong background in manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience in Supply Chain, Product Costing, Bill of Materials (BoM) structures, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), or large-scale operations.
• Strong financial modeling capabilities and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle, along with exposure to data visualization tools, is considered a significant advantage.
• Solid understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis methodologies.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, driving results through influence and partnership.