Process Control Team Supervisor-Manufacturing Engineering

Ford • Dearborn, MI

2d • $115,500 - $218,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Process Control Team Supervisor is part of Ford’s Global Manufacturing Engineering organization and will build and lead a dedicated engineering team across Process & Strategy and Plant Implementation & Execution workstreams. The role develops and implements process-control strategies across Vehicle Operations plants, advancing Ford’s automotive quality goals through interim containment measures and long-term permanent solutions.

The Process & Strategy workstream reviews Significant and Critical Characteristics, recommends engineering and tooling enablers for enhanced controls, updates Control Plans, and oversees alignment among Control Plans, core PFMEAs, and Process Sheets. The supervisor leads cross-functional reviews with Product Development, Quality, and VME stakeholders, drives interim and permanent control strategies, reports risk-reduction metrics and project status to senior leaders, and supports real-time data visualization dashboards.

The Plant Implementation & Execution workstream develops action plans and Statements of Work for process-control tooling, supports supplier quote and funding activities, and leads on-site execution at North American Vehicle Operations plants. The supervisor guides installation of equipment, vision systems, error-proofing systems, and smart tools; coordinates with Industrial Engineering, plant operations, IT, and maintenance; validates new systems; and establishes sustainment plans so local personnel can operate and maintain upgraded systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, such as Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in Automotive Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, or Product Development.
• Deep understanding of the APQP framework, particularly Control Plans, DFMEA, PFMEA, and managing Significant/Critical Characteristics.
• Proven experience bridging vehicle design or engineering and plant-floor manufacturing feasibility.
• Must be open to travel as needed to support North American Assembly Plant installations and execution.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience developing, procuring, and installing advanced vision systems, such as laser profiling and camera systems, and error-proofing tools, such as PLC-integrated smart tooling and force gauge tools.
• Extensive experience in an automotive final assembly plant environment, including managing tooling installations and launch cycles across multiple facilities.
• Experience writing Statements of Work, evaluating supplier quotes, and managing external tooling suppliers.
• Strong executive presence and ability to negotiate complex quality issues across Product Development, Quality, VME, and VO.
• Exceptional project management skills, including tracking multiple complex workstreams across different geographic locations.
• Knowledge of Ford-specific systems including FEDE, WERS, GSPAS/APT, Teamcenter, E2KS/Auros, and AIS.
• History of functioning effectively in stressful situations with aggressive timing constraints.
• Experience developing or managing data visualization dashboards, such as Power BI, to track complex multi-site project lifecycles and executive KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a dedicated team of engineers across Process & Strategy and Plant Implementation & Execution.
• Review Significant and Critical Characteristics cascaded by Product Development to enhance current Control Plans.
• Provide strategic engineering recommendations and identify design or tooling enablers needed to implement enhanced control methods.
• Direct continuous updates to Control Plans and oversee reviews of core PFMEAs to ensure alignment with foundational quality documents.
• Lead cross-functional reviews with Product Development, Quality, and VME stakeholders and assign cross-functional DRIs for required actions.
• Drive interim versus permanent control strategies, securing signed exceptions for interim actions while engineering permanent solutions.
• Oversee auditing, creation, and ongoing updates of core PFMEAs, Control Plans, and Process Sheets.
• Deliver executive-level reports on risk-reduction metrics and project status.
• Support development of real-time data visualization dashboards to track progress across facilities.
• Guide development of action plans and Statements of Work for new process-control tooling with VME core, ATP, and suppliers.
• Support supplier quote acquisition and collaborate with Financial Analysts to secure funding and write requisitions for tooling upgrades across North American Vehicle Operations plants.
• Lead on-site execution strategies for interim containment solutions and permanent controls.
• Deploy engineers to supervise installation of equipment, vision systems, error-proofing systems, and smart tools alongside plant personnel.
• Coordinate with Industrial Engineering to obtain labor estimates and update operations for installation and operationalization of new tooling and software.
• Partner with plant operations and IT to establish validation criteria and ensure new equipment operates as intended with minimal production disruption.
• Collaborate with plant maintenance and operations to develop long-term sustainment plans and equip local personnel to manage and maintain upgraded systems.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized back-up child care.
• Family-building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• 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.
• 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