Operations Manager

In this position ...Oversee vehicle upfit and operations.Engineer and implement logistics processes that eliminate operational bottlenecks, reduce transit/dwell times, and minimize finished vehicle inventory aging.Direct full lifecycle vehicle logistics operations, ensuring vehicles are efficiently routed, processed, upfitted, and delivered to meet dealer, commercial, and retail customer commitments.At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow’s transportation.We build world-class vehicles in our plants around the world, constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. It’s our people who really make the difference. We encourage all of our employees to think outside the box to help us find better and more efficient ways to manufacture our vehicles.You'll have ...o Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain management, logistics, business, quality management, operations, or a related field or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. o Strong written and oral communication skills: you will be speaking or presenting to Senior Ford Leadership, regularlyo Ability to positively influence changeo Ability to handle complexity and multi-taskingo Ability to work with cross-functional groups to resolve concernso Strong organizational skills requiredo Ability to make decisions and work independentlyo Proficiency in Excel (required), PowerPoint (required), Analytics/Data-mining mindset, experience leveraging AI tools to enhance work productivityo Ford system QLS, AVS, understanding preferredEven better, you may have... o Interface with other Ford departments (FCSD, Marketing & Sales, Finance, Plants)o Interface with industry groups (other OEMs, AIAG)o Material Planning & Logistics (MP&L) experience (highly preferred)o Plant Operations Understanding (highly preferred)o Travel required – Approximately 25%; overnights required if plant assigned is not in SE Michigan area. Travel frequency may increase during launches and other plant campaign activitieso Meetings with Ford Teams around the globe require early or late arrivals and departures You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverageFlexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and moreVehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leasesTuition assistanceEstablished and active employee resource groupsPaid time off for individual and team community serviceA generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s DayPaid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.For more information on salary and benefits, click here: position is a leadership salary grade 6 and ranges from $112,680-212,760. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io. This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.#LI-Hybrid#LI-SB7What you will do ...Network Strategy & Logistics OperationEnd-to-End Execution: Direct full lifecycle vehicle logistics operations, ensuring vehicles are efficiently routed, processed, upfitted, and delivered to meet dealer, commercial, and retail customer commitments.Specialized Network Management: Drive the strategic design and continuous optimization of Ship-Thru, Drop Ship, and Upfitter networks to expand logistics flexibility, shorten fulfillment cycles, and unlock revenue opportunities.Launch & Account Readiness: Spearhead cross-functional operational readiness, process design, and launch execution for major commercial fleet accounts, new vehicle lines, and evolving Ford Pro business models.Operational Continuity: Provide operational oversight and support during non-standard operating windows (weekends, off-shifts, holidays) to maintain seamless alignment with plant production schedules.Operational Excellence & Continuous ImprovementCycle Time & Dwell Reduction: Engineer and implement logistics processes that eliminate operational bottlenecks, reduce transit/dwell times, and minimize finished vehicle inventory aging.Performance Metrics & Analytics: Track and optimize core performance indicators, including ETA accuracy, milestone reliability, transit performance, and miss-ship prevention.Root-Cause & Corrective Actions: Lead structured problem-solving initiatives to identify root causes and execute corrective countermeasures for miss-ships, routing errors, inventory discrepancies, and system disruptions.Partner Collaboration & Stakeholder EngagementEcosystem Alignment: Build collaborative partnerships across plants, carriers, upfitters, suppliers, railroads, and 3PL providers to clear operational hurdles and optimize vehicle velocity.Executive Communication: Deliver executive-ready briefings, KPI dashboards, business cases, and operational reviews for NAVL and Ford Pro senior leadership.Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Coach, mentor, and guide cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing. Governance, Technology & Financial StewardshipOperational Governance: Oversee routine operational reviews, DCC/ZCC reporting cadence, and action-plan tracking to ensure full alignment with strategic targets.Financial Management: Govern logistics expenditures, including the review and approval of premium freight, spot-buy authorizations, cost recovery, and budget management to deliver cost savings.Digital Transformation & Systems: Partner with IT and software vendors to define functional requirements, deploy logistics visibility tools, and lead multi-plant technology rollouts without disrupting daily operations.Full timePosting Date: 2026-09-29