Director, Value Stream Mapping - AI Optimization

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

In this position... We are seeking a deeply experienced process expert and strategic thinker to serve as the Director, Value Stream Mapping - AI Optimization. This role is critical in bridging the gap between Ford’s complex business realities within the Dealer ecosystem and our AI ambitions. You will be responsible for mapping the current state of AI adoption and defining a detailed "Picture of Success." This role is designed for a leader who understands the "cautions" and nuances of the automotive industry and can solve the problem of fragmented, one-off AI solutions. You will bring structure to business problem discovery, drive consistency in how teams describe their needs, and identify cross-team patterns to accelerate time-to-value.

Requirements

• Deep Ford Dealer & Process Expertise: Extensive experience with Ford Dealer ecosystems, retail systems, and overall enterprise processes. You must understand the "cautions" and structural realities of the business.
• Business Process Optimization: Proven track record in mapping complex business processes, identifying bottlenecks, and defining future state workflows (e.g., Value Stream Mapping, Lean/Six Sigma).
• AI Strategy & Transformation: Experience creating AI readiness assessments, vision statements, and gap analyses (cultural, operational, technical).
• Framework Development: Ability to build and implement "Playbooks," opportunity templates, and standardized intake models to fix inconsistent requirements gathering.
• Technical Translation: Experience bridging the gap between business needs and technical teams, including writing tech briefs and overseeing prototyping.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to identify cross-team patterns and consolidate one-off solutions into scalable strategies.
• 12+ years of professional experience.
• BS or equivalent degree
• MS, MBA or equivalent business degree.
• Program Management: PMP (Project Management Professional), Agile/SCRUM Master, SAFe, or Six Sigma Black Belt.

Nice To Haves

• Experience acting as a liaison between legacy business operations and modern AI/Tech product teams.
• Background in evaluating external vendors and defining decision-making frameworks.
• Experience with Design Thinking or Service Design to frame customer/dealer problems accurately.
• Previous success in a role similar to a "Value Engineer" or "Business Architect" within a large automotive or manufacturing context.

Responsibilities

• Lead Structured Business Discovery & Pain-Point Inventory Lead a structured business problem discovery mission by creating a comprehensive AI pain-point inventory. Standardize how teams describe their needs to eliminate inconsistency and identify cross-team patterns that are often missed. Move the organization away from "one-off" AI solutions toward scalable, pattern-based problem solving.
• Develop the AI Transformation Playbook Build and institutionalize a holistic AI Transformation Playbook. Conduct AI Readiness Assessments and define the Vision, providing a clear analysis of the Current State versus Future State. Perform rigorous gap assessments across cultural, operational, and technical dimensions to ensure viability.
• Map Current State & Dealer Processes Leverage deep expertise in Ford Dealer processes, existing assets, and overall enterprise operations to create detailed business process maps. Identify specific opportunities where AI can optimize dealer interactions and internal workflows while navigating known structural cautions. Define a detailed "Picture of Success" for every initiative to ensure alignment before development begins.
• Drive Opportunity Mapping & Prioritization Create and implement Opportunity Templates to standardize intake and assessment. Execute opportunity mapping and use case prioritization to focus resources on high-impact initiatives. Partner with AI Products to define success metrics and ensure a shared definition of value.
• Oversee Technical Briefs & Vendor Evaluation Translate business needs into technical reality by leading the creation of Tech briefs and prototypes. Implement a lightweight framework for evaluating vendors and facilitating decision-making. Ensure technical solutions are feasible within Ford’s specific environment and infrastructure.
• Accelerate Time-to-Value & Phased Rollout Design phased rollout strategies that mitigate risk and manage change management effectively. Focus relentlessly on shortening Time-to-Value by identifying the quickest path to measurable impact. Eliminate waste by identifying redundant efforts and steering teams toward shared solutions.

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
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees