Product & Program Definition Specialist

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

This role focuses on modernizing Ford's product and program definition processes by analyzing current states, developing future state architectures, and creating documentation. It requires strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with experience in program management and data analysis. The role aims to improve efficiency and effectiveness in how products are defined and communicated throughout the industrial system.

What you'd actually do

  1. Conducting SME deep dives, captures current state scenarios, pain points & opportunities.
  2. Develop use case/scenario models to illustrate the impact of proposed changes.
  3. Create future state product architecture to support the design and implementation of new processes.
  4. Prepare design templates, points of view (POVs), and other supporting documentation.
  5. Validate the design of future-state processes through testing and analysis.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business Analytics, Data Science, or related field.
  • 0-7 years of experience in program management, data analysis or product definition role, preferably within the automotive industry or consulting.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to create and deliver clear, concise, and engaging presentations to diverse audiences.
  • Analytical, detail-oriented, and adaptable.
  • Comfortable voicing opinions and sharing innovative concepts within a team setting.
  • Experience with project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall).
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
  • Experience with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneNote to communicate in a team environment.
  • Strong Excel & PowerPoint skills.
  • Experience with data analysis tools (Excel with VB or Power BI).

Nice to have

  • PMP certification.
  • Master's degree in engineering, Program Management or a relevant Business area.
  • Knowledge of Jira & Confluence
  • Knowledge/understanding of relevant industry standards and processes, including automotive-specific terminology, product development lifecycles and key market trends and processes.
  • Experience/knowledge in systems engineering in a manufacturing setting.
  • Experience working with BOMs (Bills of Materials), program teams, engineering teams, and product definition systems.
  • Experience with MDM/ERP/PLM/CAD systems (any).
  • Understanding of engineering, manufacturing or other industrial business systems and their interaction with product definition processes.
  • Working knowledge of part codification and vehicle codification methodologies.
  • Knowledge of automotive supply chain management, purchasing processes, or related areas.
  • Familiarity with other relevant automotive tools and systems.

What the JD emphasized

  • modernizing our product development & definition processes
  • fundamentally transforming how Ford communicates the product through the entire industrial system
  • leveraging data
  • contributing new concepts
  • enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our product and program definition process
  • analytical skills
  • creative problem-solving
  • effective communication
  • project management capabilities
  • data analysis
  • product definition role
  • automotive industry
  • consulting
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to create and deliver clear, concise, and engaging presentations to diverse audiences
  • Analytical, detail-oriented, and adaptable
  • Comfortable voicing opinions and sharing innovative concepts within a team setting
  • project management methodologies
  • manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively
  • Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneNote
  • Excel & PowerPoint skills
  • data analysis tools (Excel with VB or Power BI)
  • systems engineering in a manufacturing setting
  • working with BOMs (Bills of Materials), program teams, engineering teams, and product definition systems
  • MDM/ERP/PLM/CAD systems
  • engineering, manufacturing or other industrial business systems
  • part codification and vehicle codification methodologies
  • automotive supply chain management, purchasing processes, or related areas
  • relevant automotive tools and systems