Government Regulations Manager

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

17d • Onsite

About The Position

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. What will you make today? If good is just never good enough for you, Ford Quality shares your passion for striving for perfection. We’re responsible for driving the continuous improvement efforts that enable Ford to deliver the highest quality products and services. Help us drive operational excellence through such innovative, proprietary initiatives as our Global Product Development System, Quality Operating System and New Model Launch. Work cross-functionally and closely with integrated teams in Manufacturing, Product Development, Purchasing, Marketing, Sales and Service. We are seeking a highly capable and collaborative leader to serve as Senior Manager, Quality Systems & Regulatory Governance – North America . This pivotal role drives the strategic execution of Ford’s Quality Operating System (QOS), governance, and standards, while leading a team of seven Government Regulations Coordinators. The successful candidate will ensure robust compliance with regulatory requirements, advance quality system maturity, and oversee critical processes such as Stop Ship and UAW quality engagement. This position demands strong leadership, adept cross-functional coordination, and a profound understanding of manufacturing quality systems and regulatory frameworks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, or related technical field.
• 5-10 years of experience in automotive manufacturing quality or regulatory compliance.
• Proven leadership experience, including direct people management.
• Strong understanding of quality systems (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001), regulatory frameworks, and manufacturing operations.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Regulatory Affairs.
• Experience leading regulatory compliance teams or managing government audits.
• Familiarity with Ford’s QOS framework and Stop Ship processes.
• Six Sigma or Lean certification.
• Experience working with unionized workforces.

Responsibilities

• Quality Operating System (QOS) Management : Deploy and sustain Ford’s QOS across North American manufacturing sites. Monitor QOS maturity and compliance, identifying gaps and driving corrective actions. Develop and implement QOS training, tools, and assessments.
• Governance & Standards Leadership : Create, maintain, and govern manufacturing quality standards and procedures. Ensure consistent application of quality standards across all plants and programs. Facilitate internal audits and readiness reviews to validate adherence to quality processes.
• Stop Ship Process Oversight : Lead and contribute to the Stop Ship governance process, ensuring effective issue triage, containment, and resolution. Coordinate with plant teams, engineering, and regulatory stakeholders for timely and effective responses. Maintain comprehensive documentation and reporting for Stop Ship events and corrective actions.
• Government Regulations Team Leadership : Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Government Regulations Coordinators, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and international manufacturing quality regulations. Serve as the primary escalation point for regulatory interpretation, issue resolution, and external audit support.
• UAW Quality Engagement : Partner with plant leadership to support UAW quality initiatives. Facilitate joint improvement projects, training programs, and recognition efforts. Promote a culture of shared accountability for quality across union and salaried teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting : Collaborate with Product Development, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Plant Operations to align on quality governance and regulatory requirements. Represent the team in internal and external forums, providing updates on QOS, regulatory compliance, and Stop Ship status. Leverage data analytics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care, 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: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees