Labels Supervisor

Ford Ford · Auto · Dearborn, MI +1 · PD Operations and Quality

Supervisor for Labels Application & Core at Ford, leading a global team of engineers responsible for vehicle label design, release, and application, ensuring global regulatory compliance and part traceability. The role involves managing proprietary systems, driving Variable Data Label Systems (VDLS), and integrating traceability data across various Ford systems.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead a Global Team: Manage and mentor a large team of ~20 regional and international engineers, fostering continuous growth, expertise, and seamless cross-border collaboration.
  2. Oversee Label Design & Release: Direct the end-to-end workstreams for label design and release in WERS, ensuring all labels comply with government regulations and critical Ford requirements across all global markets.
  3. Manage Proprietary Label Matrices: Oversee the maintenance of the Global Generic Label Matrix (GGLM) and ensure the accurate drafting and maintenance of Program Specific Label Matrices (PSLM) in accordance with LQOS 570.
  4. Drive Variable Data Label Systems (VDLS): Act as the Business Owner of VDLS. Monitor system signoffs for on-time delivery (TT and beyond), resolve daily issues to support North American production, and continually develop system enhancements for matrix-based variable data labels globally.
  5. Act as DRI for VIN Traceability: Lead the VIN Traceability workstream across the enterprise. Drive the process flow from Trace Requirements and Product Development through Manufacturing Engineering, Corporate Quality, and Data Storage.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • 3+ years in a leadership role with proven experience managing large, distributed, or international teams.
  • Demonstrated experience in engineering design and release processes, manufacturing traceability, or regulatory compliance.
  • Exceptional teamwork and collaboration skills, with a track record of partnering with cross-functional stakeholders (PD, Manufacturing, Quality, and IT).
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to triage complex production or system issues daily.

Nice to have

  • Master of Science degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
  • 5+ years in a leadership role with proven experience managing large, distributed, or international teams.
  • Deep, hands-on understanding of Ford proprietary systems and processes, including WERS, VDLS, FEDEBOM, FEDEWB, VSEM, TRACE DB, and GSAR.
  • Extensive knowledge of Ford’s Label Quality Operating System (LQOS 570), GGLM, and PSLM structures.
  • Prior experience working with Variable Data Labels and resolving plant-level production issues.
  • Experience with error-proofing processes, plant manufacturing IT (CDCII/IQT), and supplier part serialization requirements.
  • Comprehensive understanding of Ford GPDS processes, deliverables, and global regulatory compliance standards.

What the JD emphasized

  • global regulatory compliance
  • part traceability
  • VIN Traceability
  • Variable Data Label System (VDLS)