New Model Launch Specialist

Ford • Allen Park, MI

2d • $115,500 - $218,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

The New Model Program Supervisor is responsible for the successful launch of new vehicle or powertrain models within a manufacturing plant. The primary goal is to ensure these launches are delivered on time, within budget, and at target quality levels. This leadership role is paramount to achieving launch excellence for new vehicle and powertrain models across Ford's North America Manufacturing Plants. The Supervisor will drive success by leading, mentoring, and empowering a high-performing team of launch engineers and will collaborate cross-functionally with diverse skill teams, extending through all management tiers, to ensure adherence to critical launch processes and standards. This leader will also effectively engage and communicate with senior leadership up to the Director level on launch risks and opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related field.
• 4+ Years of experience in Powertrain/Vehicle Operations manufacturing, design, and/or program management, with Project management or launch experience.
• 4+ years of experience demonstrating a strong understanding of the processes and methodologies involved in bringing new vehicle models from development into full-scale production.
• Skilled in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project.
• Project management and/or launch experience.
• Experience with Engineering Change Management and Issue Management
• Experience with problem solving disciplines using statistical mindsets.

Nice To Haves

• Master of Science degree in Engineering or related field.
• 6+ Years of experience in Powertrain/Vehicle Operations manufacturing, design, and/or program management, with Project management or launch experience.
• 6+ years of experience demonstrating a strong understanding of the processes and methodologies involved in bringing new vehicle models from development into full-scale production.
• 3+ Years of Leadership/Supervisory level experience.
• Skilled in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project.
• Project management and/or launch experience.
• Experience with Engineering Change Management and Issue Management
• Experience with problem solving disciplines using statistical mindsets.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring the new model launch is completed within or under the allocated budget.
• Managing all activities leading up to the initial prototype and pre-production vehicle builds, ensuring these early builds are cost-effective and meet quality standards.
• Reviewing and approving design changes throughout the product development lifecycle, making sure these changes are supported in pre-production builds and thoroughly tested ("proven out") before the official launch.
• Ensuring all necessary facilities and resources (like desks, phones, conference rooms, and diagnostic tools) are available for the on-site launch team.
• Overseeing an issue management system to track and resolve all issues that could impact the launch, focusing on unresolved and long-standing problems.
• Supporting the process of addressing concerns raised by early customer feedback vehicles (often called "Voice of the Customer Fleet") and ensuring these issues are resolved before launch.
• Managing the new model program's (NMP) involvement in the overall change control process (which may involve electronic approvals), ensuring that any proposed changes are necessary and implemented at the correct time.
• Leading the development of strategies to reduce risks associated with parts that are not yet at full production quality, including plans to test and validate them for a high-quality launch.
• Leading the "Open to Go" process, which includes verifying the origin and quality of parts ("part pedigree") and providing final approval for any deviations or alerts needed for parts not fully approved for production ("PPAP") before critical build events.
• Supporting the manufacturing issue management (often a "whiteboard" process) to ensure issues are resolved promptly.
• Proactively identify and dimension launch risks, escalating for timely mitigation and clearly articulating status in NMP assessments.
• Managing the schedule of on-site launch meetings and coordinating daily launch activities.
• Preparing and presenting comprehensive launch reviews, from early stages through to the "OK to Buy" decision point.
• Leading the approval of "OK to Build/Ship/Buy" scorecards at specific project milestones and beyond, ensuring these scorecards are prepared for review at all management meetings.
• Leading the process for any modifications needed on-site, tracking these changes, and working with the plant and suppliers to manage part updates and inventory reduction plans.
• Documenting and sharing lessons learned from assigned launch programs to improve future launches.
• Collaborate extensively and cross-functionally with Launch Specialists, diverse skill teams, and leadership spanning all levels, up to Directors, to drive integrated solutions and ensure seamless project execution.
• Promoting consistent practices by adhering to established Launch Quality Standards (LQOS).
• Responsibly allocating team resources across different programs based on workload and skills, ensuring successful launches, and managing personnel functions, including training.
• This position requires frequent and extensive travel, including long-term assignments (up to 9-12 months at a time) to support vehicle assembly plants during new model launches.

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