Manager Wheels, Tires, Jacks

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

1d • Hybrid

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. Are you ready to change the way the world moves? Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more! In this position... We are seeking an exceptional and highly experienced candidate for the role of Wheels, Tires and Jacks People Leader (LL5) to drive global innovation and technical excellence within Wheels, Tires, and Jack Commodities. This critical role demands a recognized industry authority with a proven track record of transforming technical strategies into robust business processes, delivering significant quality and cost improvements, and leading complex engineering initiatives from concept to production. The ideal candidate will possess deep domain expertise, a strong ability to mentor and lead a diverse team, and a commitment to advancing wheel and tire technologies across Ford's global product portfolio. This position requires a visionary leader capable of pushing technical boundaries and influencing both internal teams and external partners

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or related degree.
• 5 years of wheel, tire and jack design and release execution through the GPDS process.

Nice To Haves

• MS in Mechanical Engineering or related degree.
• Knows the ideal function, noise factors, error states, and control factors specific to wheels and tires.
• Has proven delivery of balanced Quality/Cost/Weight/Function/Timing attributes.
• Understands and can lead a team through GPDS program gateways and deliverables, and flex / adjust appropriately to balance risks to delivery in non-standard program timing.
• Experience in Systems Design, Program Control, Testing, and Component design and delivery preferred.
• A clear communicator and highly motivated to exceed expectations in a constantly changing product landscape.
• Understand upfront design, verification plan and methods, and industrialization process.

Responsibilities

• Lead a department of people responsible for delivering Wheels, Tires, and Jacks globally.
• Lead Design and Release Engineering, Program Control, Development, & Verification activities.
• Lead execution and industrialization of internally designed and externally manufactured wheels and jacks and externally designed and manufactured tires.
• Evaluate vehicle inputs and attribute assumptions, against wheel and tire designs and tradeoffs to achieve best in industry execution, manage system interactions with vehicle.

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