PM Program Analyst

Ford • Dearborn, MI

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

In this position...
You will play a pivotal role at the heart of Ford's Program Management organization — authoring the Program Direction Letter (PDL), the document that drives Ford's vehicle ordering and manufacturing systems. You will be positioned at the intersection of Engineering, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Program Management, serving as the central subject matter expert (SME) on Program Teams.
High Visibility — Working directly with Program leadership, Engineering, Marketing, and Manufacturing teams
Career Growth — A recognized stepping stone within Program Management
Collaborative Culture — Part of a community of authors who share best practices and mentor one another
Impact — Your work directly influences Ford's ability to build and deliver vehicles worldwide
Key Role — Your decisions and direction shape the entire program
By stepping into this role, you will also:
Build deep program knowledge across Ford's vehicle development process
Develop strong cross-functional relationships with leaders across Engineering, Marketing, and Manufacturing
Strengthen your leadership and decision-making skills in a high-visibility environment
Position yourself for future growth opportunities within Program Management and beyond
Become a trusted expert and community leader within Ford's PDL Author network

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or related degree; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence across functions and levels
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills with comfort serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME)
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and drive cross-functional issues to closure in a fast-paced environment
• Self-starter mentality with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Knowledge and understanding of VPP, GPDS, and Integrator deliverables
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree in Engineering or related degree
• Experience reading Product Direction Letters and Marketing Order Guides to set up and maintain vehicle configuration
• Familiarity with the automotive industry and knowledge of product direction planning, intent, and execution
• Knowledge of WERS, PDO, SOE, Conceps, and MOCM systems
• Ability to evaluate continuous product changes, codify data within various systems, and initiate corrective actions to minimize mis-built vehicles and re-invoicing requests
• Adjacent skills in Bill of Materials (Manufacturing – MPL), Marketing, Codification in the PDO tool, New Model Launch, etc.

Responsibilities

• PDL Authoring, Management & Change Verification
• Author the Program Direction Letter (PDL) from PS to DCV directly in the PDO tool; post DCV: paired author PDL with MPL Codification Team
• Define Product Definition (add, delete, and revise features and timing points) via mark-ups; incorporate PDMO reports into PDO-CM PDLs
• Configure and set up PDL reports, maintain the PDL change log, and author cross-MY PDLs for current and future programs
• Review of PDO WIP reports and provide OK-to-Publish direction to codification
• Track approved assumption changes, determine change drivers and corrections; manage PDL Change Control/Verification and coordinate timing to implement changes
• Conduct PDL Change Verification for all PDL changes, ensuring stakeholder verification using the Change Connect Tool
• Lead FPD PDL sign-off and the late (post TT PDL) process
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Serve as the trusted SME for program assumptions and content, interfacing with Marketing, PMT Leaders, DR Engineers, Feature System Engineers, Engineering, CM, NMs, TVM, and Program teams
• Coordinate cross-functional meetings and lead Marketing Interface Meetings to confirm program content, assumptions, and resolve PDL and Order Guide compatibility issues
• Work closely with MPL Codification, PDO, and SOE teams to ensure PDL accuracy and resolve feature discrepancies
• Participating in decision forums (CPE DF) and supporting the development of business cases to improve revenue and program profitability
• Training, Mentoring & Community Engagement
• Contribute to a community that improves process learning, applies best practices, and ensures consistent PDL execution
• Share learnings and best practices while guiding and mentoring others on program
• Provide training support for Engineers on how to read the PDL and run buildability reports
• Provide additional context to features via Author Notations and define timing points as needed
• Non-PDL Work
• Support program needs and career development (e.g., MIM, Export PAT, CPE DF)

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