VO Quality Program Manager

Ford • Louisville, KY

9h • Hybrid

About The Position

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?
We are seeking a transformative leader to serve as the VO Quality Program Manager. In this critical role, you will not only govern regional quality standards but also act as a primary change agent for our manufacturing evolution. You will be responsible for elevating the capabilities of plant leadership, driving the Ford Production System (FPS) initiatives aligned with Structed Problem Solving and ensuring our Quality Operating System (QOS) is data-driven, predictive and Flawless.
In this role, you will…
Act as the primary lead in the Manufacturing Quality Americas, QPM, ensuring that a specific vehicle program, VO, Power Transmission Operations PTO, Stamping meets all quality targets, from the initial concept phase through launch and into the hands of the customer.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical degree is required.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role.
• Technical Expertise: Extensive knowledge of the Manufacturing Quality Operating System (QOS), global quality procedures, and manufacturing auditing standards.
• Transformation Mindset: Proven track record of leading transformation initiatives—moving teams from reactive problem-solving to proactive, systemic quality management.
• Problem Solving: Understanding in 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone (Ishikawa), and Pareto Analysis, Working knowledge of 4Q, Shainin Red X or Six Sigma Black Belt principles.
• Critically analyzing GQRS, Warranty, and JD Power data to prioritize which problems require the deepest "Deep Dives."
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical degree is required.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role.
• Technical Expertise: Extensive knowledge of the Manufacturing Quality Operating System (QOS), global quality procedures, and manufacturing auditing standards.
• Transformation Mindset: Proven track record of leading transformation initiatives—moving teams from reactive problem-solving to proactive, systemic quality management.
• Problem Solving: Understanding in 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone (Ishikawa), and Pareto Analysis, Working knowledge of 4Q, Shainin Red X or Six Sigma Black Belt principles.
• Critically analyzing GQRS, Warranty, and JD Power data to prioritize which problems require the deepest "Deep Dives."
• Travel - willingness to travel up to 25%
• Excellence: You refuse to accept the status quo. You set high standards for QOS and hold Plant Managers accountable to them.
• Collaboration: You build strong relationships with cross-functional partners (Engineering, MP&L, VRT) to solve complex quality issues.
• Focus: You prioritize the critical "vital few" issues (Spike Mitigation) that protect the customer and the brand.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Quality Leadership & Governance
• Regional Audit Management: Lead and manage comprehensive quality audit programs, ensuring strict adherence to global standards across the region.
• PAC Leadership: Lead the regional PAC working level meetings to drive PRAs and validate.
• FPS & LMM Integration: Drive Ford Production System (FPS) initiatives, specifically the Quality Lean Maturity Model (LMM) to eliminate waste and reduce variability in manufacturing processes.
• QPIP Oversight: Generate, implement, and govern the Quality Performance Improvement Plan (QPIP) audit process, ensuring all management documentation is rigorous and compliant.
• Operational Excellence & Data Analysis
• KPI Definition & Analysis: Monitor, analyze, and define manufacturing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the region. Translate complex quality data into actionable strategies for Plant Managers. (Plan for every Plant)
• Spike Mitigation Problem Solving: Lead rapid-response spike mitigation initiatives. Create robust processes, define clear measurables, and drive cross-functional teams to resolve quality spikes immediately based on Problem solving methodologies.
• Strategic Action Planning: Create and execute plant QOS Strategic Action Plans, establishing a defined audit process to measure the effectiveness and sustainability of QOS implementations.
• People Leadership & Capability Building
• Executive Coaching: Daily coaching and mentorship of senior regional leadership.
• Training & Development: Generate high-impact training materials and lead capability-building sessions across the region to ensure deep understanding of Quality Operating System standards.

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: Manager