Technical Placement Manager (tpm) – Field Operations & Dealer Relations

Ford Ford · Auto · Allen Park, MI +1 · Marketing & Sales

This role manages technical placement managers and their teams, focusing on workforce strategy, dealer engagement, and program execution within Ford's field operations. It involves leading dispersed teams, developing technician pipeline and retention strategies, partnering with dealerships and educational institutions, and managing performance analytics and budgets. The role requires strong leadership, program management, and analytical skills, with a focus on operational excellence and measurable business outcomes.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead, coach, and develop geographically dispersed teams of Technical Placement Specialists and Market Area Coordinators, driving accountability, engagement, and performance.
  2. Develop and execute technician workforce strategies focused on pipeline development, workforce readiness, service capacity, and long-term technician retention.
  3. Serve as a trusted advisor to Dealer Principals, General Managers, Service Directors, and Fixed Operations leaders on workforce planning and technician development.
  4. Lead implementation of technician growth initiatives, ensuring consistent execution, process standardization, and achievement of program objectives.
  5. Own workforce KPIs, operational reporting, performance analytics, and business reviews to support data-driven decision-making.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Workforce Development, or a related field
  • 7–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in field operations, workforce development, dealer operations, automotive service operations, or related business functions.
  • 5+ years of experience leading and developing geographically dispersed remote teams.
  • Demonstrated success managing remote field organizations while driving accountability, operational performance, workforce effectiveness, and measurable business outcomes.
  • Strong background in coaching, performance management, talent development, and organizational leadership.
  • Experience leading process standardization, continuous improvement, organizational change, and workforce development initiatives.
  • Expertise in technician workforce planning, workforce readiness, service capacity management, and retention strategies.
  • Advanced analytical skills with experience leveraging workforce data, KPIs, CRM platforms, and business intelligence tools to drive operational decisions.
  • Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence dealership leadership, field teams, and senior business leaders.

Nice to have

  • Master's degree (MBA, Automotive Technology, or related discipline)
  • 10+ years of experience within the automotive service ecosystem, including dealer operations, fixed operations, service engineering, warranty administration, field quality, or technical service operations.
  • Experience supporting OEM dealer networks, technician workforce development programs, and partnerships with technical schools, vocational programs, apprenticeship initiatives, or workforce development organizations.
  • Experience managing field quality concerns, technical investigations, corrective actions, and issue resolution within an OEM or dealer network environment.

What the JD emphasized

  • 7–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in field operations, workforce development, dealer operations, automotive service operations, or related business functions.
  • 5+ years of experience leading and developing geographically dispersed remote teams.
  • Demonstrated success managing remote field organizations while driving accountability, operational performance, workforce effectiveness, and measurable business outcomes.
  • Experience leading process standardization, continuous improvement, organizational change, and workforce development initiatives.
  • Expertise in technician workforce planning, workforce readiness, service capacity management, and retention strategies.