Manager, Occupational Safety

Ford • Dearborn, MI

17h • Hybrid

About The Position

To ensure a safe manufacturing environment, our Occupational Health and Safety Engineering team plays a crucial role in hazard prevention, conducting safety audits, providing training, and implementing risk mitigation strategies. The Manager, Occupational Safety/VOME Safety Manager is responsible for leading the safety strategy and execution within the Vehicle Operations Manufacturing Engineering organization. You will ensure that new vehicle programs, equipment installations, and manufacturing processes adhere to Ford’s Safety Operating System (SOS), OSHA regulations, GVOSS and global safety standards. Your mission is to eliminate workplace hazards during the design, build and launch phases of vehicle production. This role bridges the gap between engineering design and floor-level execution, ensuring that safety is "designed-in" before a single vehicle rolls off the line.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a similar field.
• 5+ years of work experience in Occupational Safety and Health or a related field.
• Travel (up to 30%) to local and international tooling suppliers and Ford manufacturing sites, including locations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, to support launch activities
• In-depth knowledge of OSHA regulations and industrial safety standards (e.g., Machine Guarding, Lockout/Tagout, Fall Protection, and Arc Flash).
• Strong understanding of Risk Assessment methodologies.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Quality Assurance Engineering, or a similar field.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing / automotive environment.
• 1+ years' experience working in a union environment.
• 1+ years of experience in an Occupational Safety leadership role.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Associate Safety Professional (ASP) designation.
• Experience with automotive assembly processes (Body Shop, Paint, or Final Assembly).
• Technical knowledge of robotics safety standards (ISO 10218 / ANSI RIA R15.06).
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external vendors.
• Proficiency in project management and data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for machine guarding and control systems, ensuring all equipment meets regulatory requirements and Ford Machine Guarding Standards.
• Conduct 100% design and build reviews, interpreting and communicating international and Ford Global Standards for tooling, machinery, and material handling equipment.
• Perform facility safety design reviews and technical signoffs to ensure workstation readiness.
• Collaborate with VOME Controls teams to verify compliance for safety PLC-related equipment and Energy Control and Power Lockout (ECPL) placarding.
• Reviews and updates Occupational Safety policies to ensure compliance with relevant laws and with corporate safety policies, communicated effectively to relevant stakeholders, and consistently enforced.
• Lead and coordinate the Ford Progressive Tagging System (PROTAG) buy-off process during program launches.
• Manage the Tooling Buy-off Procedure in alignment with Ford Global Standards, working closely with VO Engineers and plant safety teams.
• Oversee safety processes during all VOME launch phases, including demolition, construction, and commissioning.
• Drive construction safety onsite, ensuring all vendors and contractors adhere to Ford’s safety protocols.
• Lead multi-functional teams in performing comprehensive Risk Assessments and Pre-Task Analysis (PTA).
• Execute Workstation Readiness reviews and ensure robust safety processes are integrated into the plant floor environment.
• Identify, document, and communicate safety "lessons learned" between Manufacturing Engineering and Plant Safety to update future program specifications.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve audit findings and implement preventative measures that mitigate future risks. Proactively develop site-specific safety and loss control programs to address operational roadblocks and ensure seamless implementation.
• Represent VOME in key safety forums, including the Construction Safety Council, Manufacturing Safety Council, and Engineering Alignment meetings.
• Manage safety KPIs and reporting to drive continuous improvement and ensure regulatory compliance for senior leadership.
• Facilitate joint communication and alignment with the UAW National Ford Department regarding safety standards and implementations.
• Provide expert input to external standard governing bodies to influence industry-wide safety requirements.
• Teach, coach, and mentor contractors and the broader VOME engineering community on proactive safety processes.
• Support VOME functional areas with non-launch related safety issues at various plant locations as needed.

Benefits

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