Director - Material/Vehicle Logistics & Customs IT

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford is undergoing a significant Supply Chain Transformation, with a key focus on optimizing the logistics network and managing customs/duty/tariff regulations to ensure supply assurance for its products. This role is critical in driving solutions for inbound material logistics, finished vehicle logistics, and the "intralogistics" of parts/vehicles across Ford facilities, as well as customs compliance. The scope includes network planning, transportation management, end-to-end visibility, yard/compound logistics, global trade compliance, and integration with warehouse management capabilities. This is a hybrid position based in Dearborn, MI, requiring a four-day onsite presence each week, with relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Computer Science, Information Systems, Supply Chain Management or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 10+ years of progressive responsibilities within technology and software functions.
• 5+ years of direct experience managing or implementing IT systems in at least two of the following areas: Inbound Material Logistics (transportation mgmt., yard mgmt. control tower). Outbound/Finished Vehicle Logistics (transportation mgmt., yard mgmt., damage mgmt.). Customs Compliance & Global Trade (import/export clearance, duty drawback, classification, solicitation).
• 5+ years of experience leading/ mentoring a team including Product Managers and engineers, fostering a culture of agile excellence and continuous improvement. Leading global teams is preferred.
• 3+ years of vendor management skills to engage with SaaS platform as well as services providers.
• 1+ years of experience of having delivered AI-enabled solutions with cloud-native technologies, including ability to implement AI tooling at every phase of software development lifecycle with a large team of engineers.
• 1+ years of experience with cloud architecture (Google Cloud Platform preferred), API-driven integrations.
• Exposure Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform.
• Ability to interact extensively with and influence senior business leaders, technology partners and software platform & services providers.
• Implementation experience with multiple delivery models – including supplier-led engagements, SaaS solutions, strong supplier management skills and effective contract-negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management in varying areas of business and enterprise technology.
• Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrating professionalism in all actions.
• Functional & Technical Experience with global team development and building knowledge and capability.
• Management skills/experience and independent, decision-making skills.
• Develop and maintain strong knowledge of the business functional areas for Supply Chain, including logistics.
• Technical excellence in software design, development, and deployment.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver on project commitments through leadership, rigorous execution, teamwork, strategic planning/scheduling, problem analysis, resolution, and productivity improvements.
• Agile delivery methodologies and Product Driven Organization implementation.
• Manage portfolio level financials & budgets and guide regular financial reporting for the portfolio and major development projects.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Supply Chain Management or similar.
• Hands-on experience in multiple roles across the spectrum of the lifecycle of applications and/or technologies.
• Knowledge of tracking technologies like RFID, BLE, GPS, or Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) in a logistics environment will be a plus.

Responsibilities

• Be the global Enterprise Technology face off for inbound materials, finished vehicle distribution & customs compliance business functions.
• Be accountable for technical and operational excellence of portfolio, delivery of IT investments, and production support.
• Own and manage delivery of IT investments: governance, budgets, contracts, reviews, feasibility, cost benefit analysis, prioritization, initiation, execution, and closure.
• Develop strategy and explore future technologies powering material and vehicle logistics transformation.
• Adopt an AI-First mindset and leading cloud offerings to modernize the portfolio (replacing legacy/ mainframe technologies) and innovate extensively to solve business problems.
• Drive technical integration of portfolio and ensure seamless interoperability across ecosystem to provide best in class user experience.
• Define and evangelize the multi-year product roadmap for Ford's global logistics and trade compliance platforms, aligning closely with Material Planning & Logistics (MP&L) and plant operations.
• Guide product and integration teams across full lifecycle of a diverse application portfolio driving transportation network planning, multi-modal visibility of materials and vehicles, distribution, yard/compound management, trade compliance and other associated core supply chain execution functions.
• Lead, mentor, and coach a global team of product managers and engineers, fostering a culture of agile excellence and continuous improvement.
• Optimize resource footprint to take advantage of talents globally and across Ford and technology partners.
• Ensure delivery is managed effectively using Agile delivery and portfolio management practices.
• Drive the migration of legacy mainframe and on-premise systems to modern, scalable cloud environments (e.g., Google Cloud Platform) and industry-leading SaaS/COTS platforms.
• Partner with legal and trade compliance teams to ensure systems meet strict global import/export standards, tariff classifications, and trade agreements (e.g., USMCA).
• Apply a broad understanding of Ford enterprise architecture and technology standards to guide solutions/services.
• Work together effectively with senior management, business partners, suppliers and internal IT partners, ensuring high availability, security, and performance of mission-critical logistics systems.
• Ensure that financial targets are met for operating budget and new investments.
• Lead, mentor, and coach a global team of product managers and engineers, fostering a culture of agile excellence and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director