Specialist, Central Operational Transformation

Ford • Dearborn, MI

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

If good is just never good enough for you, Ford Quality shares your passion for striving for perfection. We’re responsible for driving the continuous improvement efforts that enable Ford to deliver the highest quality products and services. Help us drive operational excellence through such innovative, proprietary initiatives as our Global Product Development System, Quality Operating System and New Model Launch. Work cross-functionally and closely with integrated teams in Manufacturing, Product Development, Purchasing, Marketing, Sales and Service. In this position... The central team functions as a service, supporting multiple processes across the organization. Its primary goal is to ensure consistency, standardization, and the scaling of best practices across the enterprise including integration of the dedicated teams into the Industrial Systems point of view. The Specialist, Central Operational Transformation, is a hands-on technical expert within the central team, responsible for executing and supporting the enterprise-wide process transformation strategy. This role actively contributes to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of standardized methodologies, tools, and best practices for process optimization across the Industrial System. Leveraging their technical skills, the Specialist supports enterprise-level transformation programs, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to established standards to drive significant improvements across the organization.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 3-6+ years of hands-on experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, or business transformation roles, preferably within a large organization.
• Proven experience and practical proficiency in automotive or industrial operations is essential.
• Experience in supporting or executing process improvement projects.
• Proficiency in Lean Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping, and other continuous improvement frameworks, with practical experience in automotive or industrial operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of dissecting complex process challenges and contributing to scalable solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to apply process improvement methodologies and tools effectively in an operational setting.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of clearly articulating technical details and collaborating effectively within teams and with stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and contribute actively within a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to collect, analyze, and report on data accurately.
• Understanding of change management principles and ability to support change initiatives.
• High adaptability and agility to respond to evolving technical needs and priorities.
• Collaboration & Cross-functional Alignment: Ability to build strong relationships and work effectively across organizational silos to achieve common goals

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (e.g., Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical), Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Process Improvement and Problem Solving Certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent are highly desirable, or a willingness to achieve them.

Responsibilities

• Process Engineering Methods & Standards Support: Actively support the development, refinement, and deployment of enterprise-wide process engineering methodologies, tools, templates, and best practices (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping, process automation standards).
• Program Execution Support: Assist in the management of cross-functional operational transformation programs, including value stream mapping, data collection, analysis, and tracking progress against strategic objectives and resource plans.
• Technical Standards Adherence: Ensure adherence to established technical standards and roadmaps for process optimization and digital transformation within assigned projects and initiatives.
• Internal Consulting & Support: Provide direct support and expertise to dedicated transformation teams and business units on the application of central methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Capability Building & Training Delivery: Support the design and delivery of training programs, facilitate workshops, and contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives to build organizational capability in process transformation.
• Performance Monitoring & Data Analysis: Collect, analyze, and interpret data for key performance indicators (KPIs) related to central methodologies and enterprise programs, assisting in the preparation of reports and insights for the Senior Manager.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with various stakeholders across the organization, including dedicated teams, IT, and business partners, to ensure seamless integration and adoption of central transformation approaches.
• Risk Identification: Identify potential technical risks and challenges within transformation initiatives and escalate them to the Senior Manager for resolution.

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: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees