We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.
If good is just never good enough for you, Ford Quality shares your passion for striving for perfection. We’re responsible for driving the continuous improvement efforts that enable Ford to deliver the highest quality products and services. Help us drive operational excellence through such innovative, proprietary initiatives as our Global Product Development System, Quality Operating System and New Model Launch. Work cross-functionally and closely with integrated teams in Manufacturing, Product Development, Purchasing, Marketing, Sales and Service.
In this position...
GPDS Operations sets the process and direction for how our programs move forward. As the Body Interior SME you will work across the organization to ensure alignment between hardware execution and program execution timing. As the GPDS Process SME, you will coach and guide all levels of the organization in understanding GPDS process, critical path elements, and opportunities for improvement. You will play an important role in advising the teams developing future generations of GPDS.
This role requires a blend of technical and process expertise, strategic transformation leadership, and the ability to work in ambiguity while creating a vision that can be operationalized.
What you'll do...:
As the GPDS Body Interiors Process SME, you will:
- Ensure Body Interiors process, deliverables and timing requirements are properly represented in each GPDS release
- Work with the appropriate PMTs and Programs in the implementation of GPDS and corresponding process updates
- Ensure solutions are properly integrated to the overall GPDS process and support the enterprise-wide product development process and strategy
- Create and update GPDS process sheets for deliverables to support key corporate initiatives and process changes supporting both platform and top hat work streams
- Develop and update success criteria for key milestones and deliverables in current GPDS processes
- AI and Innovation: Support development of AI projects to improve efficiency and accuracy of timing plans and program scale, as well as usability of key GPDS tools.
- Work with Studio to improve Theme & Engineering Surface Feasibility processes for current and future GPDS releases
- Apply knowledge of commodity tooling critical path to develop GPDS & program timing to deliver production-tooled parts on time to DCV, TCB1, TT, PP, and MP1 builds
- Review new Program timing VPP’s with Body Engineering Team (Interior & Exterior) to ensure that engineering can deliver the new Programs on time via the LL4 Timing Approval meetings.
As the GPDS Process SME:
- Lead Strategic Initiatives: work cross functionally to implement continuous (kaizen) efforts as well as “big bet” updates to development processes
- Support Program Timing Development: Guide program teams in development of specific timing plans for new products and product updates
- AI & Innovation Efficiency: Develop and implement AI-driven solutions (e.g., GPDS AI App) to improve process efficiencies. Collaborate on the integration of critical deliverables into the Platform / Concept Brief and modernize GPDS "Pocket Card" formats for digital accessibility.
- Benchmarking & Continuous Improvement: Leverage benchmarking (e.g., GM and Mazda) to identify competitive gaps. Apply Kaizen principles to improve GPDS time-to-market and reduce waste through initiatives like virtual validation.
- Stakeholder Coaching: Provide high-level training to program teams, core engineering, and Innovation Strategy teams. Lead "Lunch & Learn" sessions to drive organizational competency in new integration processes.
You'll have...
Minimum
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (any discipline).
- 5+ years of experience in Engineering (Body Interior preferred)
- 5+ years of experience with GPDS processes
- Demonstrated experience presenting complex strategies to senior leadership.
- Proven ability to identify process bottlenecks, frame alternatives, and implement enterprise-level solutions.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Even better, you may have...
Preferred
- MS and/or MBA.
- Experience in Program Management
- Strong organization skills and the ability to work independently in unstructured, "white space" environments.
- Experience with Planisware.
- Proven ability to foster teamwork and drive resolution of issues in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
- Influence Without Authority: ability to work with functional areas, SMEs, and program teams drive
- Proficiency in Global Integrator / OPTEX.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including: • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases • Tuition assistance • Established and active employee resource groups • Paid time off for individual and team community service • A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day • Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is leadership level 6 and ranges from $112,680-212,760.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-TS3