PS&L Automation Manager

Ford • Livonia, MI

1d • $112,680 - $212,760 • Hybrid

About The Position

In this role, you will be supporting the engineering services team within Parts Supply & Logistics (PS&L) within Ford’s Customer Service Division (FCSD). Whoever is selected for this position will be at the forefront of Ford operational innovation, working on advanced technology solutions intended to drive enhanced safety, quality, and efficiency for our distribution and packaging business. Key aspects of the position include developing network automation strategy, building out and presenting executive level financial business cases, performing vendor/technology evaluation, hands on implementation of selected solutions, and post implementation support of those solutions in collaboration with other key PS&L departments. Those interested in this role should be prepared for a fast-paced environment, managing 5-10 key projects at any given time, spending most days within a Ford operations facility problem solving or project management, and willing to travel for at least 1 week+ per month while being based out of southeast Michigan.

Requirements

• BA or BS in Supply Chain or Industrial Eng. - Required
• 5+ years of material handling automation/systems experience
• 3+ years of project management experience
• Extremely proficient in Microsoft Suite applications – Excel, Power Point, etc.
• Strong operations experience and knowledge – preferably distribution operations
• Collaboration - Proven ability to work cross functional with strong collaboration mindset
• Executive presence – ability to represent themselves and organization to internal and external senior leadership
• Excellence – Track record of delivering strong results and managing complex projects from inception to go-live. Results driven mindset.
• Focus – Ability to manage multiple projects at once, and balance key organizational priorities to define timelines and direct employee workloads.
• Ability to set a vision and rally team member passion around delivering a common goal.
• Ability to assess team member strengths and put personnel in the best position possible to ensure overall team success and department goals are met.
• Knowledge of distribution industry best practices in warehouse design and automation

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree - Recommended
• AutoCAD experience preferred
• SAP EWM/WMS experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Review technology and advanced automation solutions, performing strategic vendor evaluation and selection.
• Complete and present detailed financial business cases associated with strategic initiatives to demonstrate return on investment in collaboration with Finance to FCSD leadership.
• Lead project management efforts to support large and small scale initiatives, supporting projects from strategic inception to physical execution and post launch support, working cross functionally with operations, IT, finance, purchasing, and safety team members.
• Lead collaboration and benchmarking efforts both internally at Ford with the manufacturing organization and externally with industry and non-industry players to identify best in world solutions to and maintain PS&L’s competitiveness.
• Support FCSD operations globally with continuous improvement efforts, potential changes to material handling strategies, and space optimization techniques. Collaborating with operations leadership on project strategy, funding, and execution.
• Work cross functionally with other Ford organizations such as purchasing, finance, manufacturing, and labor affairs.
• Perform internal purchasing functions to generate requisitions and gain necessary approvals to execute POs, process invoices, and reconcile discrepancies.
• Identify deficiencies in existing material flow and storage strategies, provide recommendations for automation based on data supported analysis.
• Support systems integration between identified solutions and the SAP EWM software that runs our North American distribution and packaging network.
• Leverage project management skills to hit launch dates/deadlines, staying within budget, and overcoming obstacles within a high paced environment.
• Perform detailed root cause analyses – PDCA/A3/etc. to help diagnose proper solutions for systemic challenges.
• Candidates should expect to be onsite at a metro Detroit PS&L operations facility 3-4 days per week, with locations varying day to day.
• Candidates should expect frequent travel to various North American PS&L operations facilities and to travel for GEMBA benchmarking with other OEMs and equipment vendors.

Benefits

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