Senior / Staff Program Manager, Operations Cost Analytics
Zoox · Foster City, United States · 2mo ago
Zoox is marching toward commercialization of our ride-hail service, and we are laying the foundation to dramatically scale our fleet operations. We need a highly analytical, data-driven program manager to lead our cost control program: identifying where cost is being lost in current operations, quantifying the size of the opportunity, and driving cross-functional teams to close the gap.
As the Senior / Staff Program Manager, Operations Cost Analytics, you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of our cost reduction efforts, managing the full lifecycle: analyzing operations, building visibility tools, defining problem statements, setting up improvement plans, and delivering measurable cost impact. You will work closely with Operations, Engineering, Data Science, Finance, and Product teams to translate operational data into clear, actionable cost-reduction programs.
This role requires strong analytical rigor and program execution skills. You must be comfortable getting into the details of operational and cost data, building or specifying tools that make that data visible to the teams who can act on it, and running the structured, cross-functional process required to turn an identified cost driver into a delivered improvement. You should be highly self-motivated, proactive, and able to manage multiple analytical and cross-functional workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
In this role, you will:
- Analyze the current state of fleet operations to identify, size, and prioritize cost drivers and inefficiencies, using data as the primary basis for prioritization.
- Lead the operations cost control program: define the strategy and roadmap for reducing operating costs and translate it into detailed, trackable improvement plans.
- Build detailed plans for each cost-reduction opportunity by working with a wide range of stakeholders across Operations, Engineering, Data Science, Finance, and Product to define scope, owners, and timelines.
- Drive individual problem statements from analysis through resolution, ensuring that improvements are actually reflected in cost outcomes, not just process or roadmap completion.
- Identify gaps in cost visibility and build or specify tools and dashboards that give partner teams better, more self-serve visibility into the problems that are impacting cost.
- Develop and maintain KPIs and metrics that track cost performance, program progress, and the impact of completed initiatives.
- Partner with Finance and Data Science to ensure cost analyses are grounded in accurate, trusted data and that reported savings tie back to actuals.
- Clearly communicate program status, cost trends, and the impact of improvements to stakeholders and leadership.
Qualifications
- BS degree in an engineering, analytics, or quantitative discipline, or equivalent experience.
- 10+ years of experience in program management, analytics, operations, finance, or management consulting, with a track record of driving quantifiable cost or efficiency improvements.
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills; comfortable working directly with operational and cost data to find root causes and size opportunities.
- Experience specifying or building tools/dashboards (e.g., working with Data Science or Engineering) that give stakeholders visibility into operational and cost data.
- Demonstrated ability to run structured, cross-functional programs from problem identification through to measurable results.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization and strong written, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
- Self-starter with a strong bias for action and the ability to thrive in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills and comfort translating ambiguous operational challenges into structured analyses and action plans.
Bonus Qualifications
- MBA or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (Operations Research, Analytics, Engineering, Finance, etc.)
- Management consulting or strategic consulting experience, particularly in cost or operational efficiency engagements.
- Experience in the autonomous vehicle, ride-hail, transportation, aerospace, airline, or other relevant mobility industries.
- Experience with SQL, BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker), or working closely with data engineering teams to build reporting infrastructure.
- Lean Six Sigma green or black belt certification.