Senior Manager, Design for Service

Ford Motor • Allen Park, MI

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Customer Service Division’s Design for Service (DFS) drives physical serviceability and diagnostic capability into Ford’s vehicle architecture, software, and packaging. It establishes the functional physical and digital baselines that service operations depend on. The Senior Manager leads the Program Management, Commodity Program Management, Process, and Serviceability (CAD/DPA) teams, which serve as the primary FCSD interface to Product Development (PD).

The role advances serviceability early in engineering and vehicle architecture, establishes and tracks serviceability requirements, and delivers warranty cost objectives through serviceability improvements. It also expands diagnostic capability across electrical, software, and systems architecture; supports program launches and service-parts readiness; and develops globally aligned service strategies and processes.

The position includes global leadership and team development, with responsibility for clear roles and responsibilities and consistent use of Global Design for Service processes. It is hybrid and requires onsite work four or more days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree; an engineering or technical field is preferred.
• Strong technical understanding of mechanical systems and components, including assembly and disassembly.
• Working knowledge of vehicle electrical, software, and systems architectures and diagnostics, including network topology, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), and diagnostic data.
• Ability to lead through influence, build alignment, and drive collaboration across functions and throughout the enterprise.
• Ability to use customer insights, operational data, and other evidence to shape strategic decisions, establish priorities, and secure stakeholder commitments.
• Ability to translate organizational objectives into clear direction, actionable plans, and measurable outcomes.
• Ability to independently assess emerging needs, anticipate challenges, and identify opportunities to advance business priorities.
• Ability to lead organizational change while strengthening team capabilities and supporting colleagues’ development.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and business topics clearly to audiences at all levels, including senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and a consistently professional approach to build trust and credibility.
• Ability to foster collaboration among skilled and motivated people to achieve shared results.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with teams and stakeholders across global regions, including Europe, South America, China, and other international markets.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Familiarity and experience with Dealer Operations, strongly preferred, specifically tied to Fixed Operations.
• Knowledge of Product Development processes and the vehicle development production system; knowledge of competitive OEM processes is welcome.
• Experience leading a larger team of 10 or more.

Responsibilities

• Represent the customer, dealer, and technician perspective with Advanced Engineering, Features, and Flexible Vehicle Architecture.
• Engage during advanced engineering and platform architecture to optimize serviceability before physical dimensions are locked.
• Introduce and maintain serviceability requirements, ensuring each is met or has an approved deviation.
• Deliver warranty cost objectives through serviceability improvements.
• Expand team expertise from physical repair metrics into electrical, software, and systems architecture.
• Define diagnostic data requirements upfront with Product Development software engineers and suppliers.
• Partner with Product Development and enterprise teams on diagnostic tooling, service features, and data readiness.
• Track launch deliverables, including tools, diagnostics readiness, service information and workshop manual, owner’s manual, major service issues, and service-parts release.
• Support service-parts availability for launch and develop launch plans for major programs.
• Define service strategies for new technologies and support dealer service strategy.
• Drive Design for Service process alignment with the Product Development development system (GPDS), best practices, and global commonality.
• Model Ford behaviors and develop the team to achieve success in Excellence, Focus, and Collaboration.
• Promote work-life balance tools and use empowerment, coaching, counseling with actionable feedback, team building, and process improvement to support employee development.
• Provide global leadership, ensuring roles and responsibilities are defined and agreed upon and Global Design for Service processes are followed.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Paid parental leave and new-parent ramp-up programs.
• Subsidized backup 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.
• Generous vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior