Senior Manager, Design for Service

Ford Motor Company • Allen Park, MI

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) Design for Service (DFS) drives physical serviceability and diagnostic capability into Ford's vehicle architecture, software, and packaging. DFS establishes the functional physical and digital baselines on which service operations depend. 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 and diagnostics early in vehicle development, supports program launches, and establishes efficient global processes. It also provides organizational leadership by developing employees, fostering collaboration and work-life balance, and ensuring global Design for Service processes are followed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; an engineering or technical field is preferred.
• Proven ability to apply strong technical understanding of mechanical systems and components, including assembly and disassembly.
• Working knowledge of vehicle electrical, software, and systems architectures, as well as diagnostics, including network topology, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), and diagnostic data.
• Familiarity with Dealer Operations.
• 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, strengthen team capabilities, and support 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, motivated people to achieve shared results.
• Ability to collaborate with teams and stakeholders across global regions, including Europe, South America, China, and other international markets.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility will be verified at hire.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Represent the customer, dealer, and technician in work with Advanced Engineering, Features, and Flexible Vehicle Architecture.
• Engage during advanced engineering and platform architecture phases 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.
• Lead Design for Diagnostics and 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 manuals, owner's manuals, 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.
• Align Design for Service processes with the Product Development development system (GPDS), promoting best practices and global commonality.
• Model Ford behaviors and develop the team to achieve excellence, focus, and collaboration.
• Promote work-life balance tools and use empowerment, coaching, counseling, actionable feedback, team building, and process improvements to help employees reach their potential.
• 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, new-parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare.
• 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.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Generous vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including time between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

What This Job Offers

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