Senior STA Manager - Launch

Ford • Dearborn, MI

3d • $138,240 - $261,720 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a key member of Ford’s Supply Chain team, this position leads Supplier Quality improvement across multiple vehicle plants in North America. The role works with Ford plant and supplier leadership to drive upfront launch planning and industrialization, as well as downstream R/1000, QR, and delivery improvement with high-leverage suppliers. Weekly travel to Ford and supplier plants is expected; travel in the US, Canada, and Mexico is approximately 75% of the time. The position is hybrid, with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.

The Senior STA Manager manages the Supplier Technical Assistance group, including Launch and Resident Managers and supporting teams. The role oversees program readiness, process adherence, industrialization readiness, PPAP, supplier quality concerns, resource allocation, issue resolution, employee development, and compliance with organizational and corporate policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science, engineering, or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Proficiency in English when working with global teams.
• Knowledge of problem-solving tools.
• Experience using quality tools and project management.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills.
• Ability to travel in the US, Canada, and Mexico approximately 75% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Plant manufacturing or quality experience.
• Supply or crisis management experience.
• Manager role experience.
• Site and/or program experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Supplier Technical Assistance group consisting of Launch and Resident Managers and supporting teams.
• Manage program readiness through APQP, align with cross-functional leaders, and drive issue resolution to deliver programs on time with quality.
• Ensure process adherence by internal Ford skill teams and supplier engagement on major and moderate programs.
• Monitor Schedule B, industrialization readiness, and PPAP for each program; communicate status and support needs to cross-functional leaders, including Site Supplier Technical Assistance.
• Communicate resource needs to management and prioritize and allocate resources to achieve Launch and Resident team objectives.
• Facilitate support from PVT (Product Vehicle Team) and/or Manufacturing to resolve issues where suppliers need Ford’s help.
• Ensure direct interface with supplier manufacturing sites for containment and closure of zero Month In Service special-cause supplier process (SP) current-model quality projects.
• Manage and review phased PPAP status and timing plans to deliver timely Phase PPAP approvals.
• Ensure participation as needed in VRT (Variability Reduction Team), forums, and Vehicle Quality Reviews (VQRs).
• Support pre-production builds and drive resolution of supplier quality concerns.
• Ensure timely containment of stop shipments and release of vehicles on hold for quality concerns.
• Ensure communication of best practices and lessons learned to STA activities.
• Drive adherence to organizational and corporate policies and procedures.
• Lead employee development consistent with Human Resources policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care, 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.
• 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