Senior Manager, Design for Service

Ford • Allen Park, MI

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Design for Service leads Ford Customer Service Division’s Design for Service organization, including Program Management, Commodity Program Management, Process, and Serviceability (CAD/DPA) teams. The organization serves as the primary FCSD interface to Product Development and establishes the physical and digital serviceability baselines that service operations rely on. The role embeds serviceability and diagnostic capability into vehicle architecture, software, and packaging, with an emphasis on influencing product and platform decisions early in development.

The position advances serviceability requirements and diagnostic readiness, supports program launches, and develops common global processes and service strategies for new technologies. It also provides organizational leadership through coaching, collaboration, change leadership, and development of the team. The position is hybrid and requires onsite work four or more days per week.

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.
• 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 an environment where skilled, motivated people collaborate, contribute their expertise, and achieve shared results.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with global teams and stakeholders, including in Europe, South America, China, and other international markets.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Work with Advanced Engineering, Features, and Flexible Vehicle Architecture as the Voice of the Customer, Dealer, and Technician.
• 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.
• 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, diagnostic 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.
• Drive Design for Service process alignment with the Product Development development system (GPDS) and global best practices.
• Role model Ford behaviors and develop the team to achieve excellence, focus, and collaboration.
• Promote work-life balance tools.
• Use empowerment, coaching, counseling, actionable feedback, team building, and process improvements to create an environment that develops employees.
• Provide global leadership by 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 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 time between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

What This Job Offers

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