Design for Service Commodity Specialist

Job Description

Design for Service Commodity Specialist

We made history and now we work to transform the future - for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

In this position...

This position is critical for integrating serviceability considerations early in the product development cycle, ensuring that new vehicles can be repaired efficiently, at a lower cost, and with superior customer experience. The specialist drives the "Design for Service" culture, bridging the Service Division and Product Development Internal Combustion Engine Powertrain, and Thermal Systems Engineering (IPTSE) teams to achieve ambitious Warranty Cost Reduction and Launch Readiness targets, ultimately delivering the best-in-class repair experience and the lowest possible Cost of Ownership.

This role demands a strong advocate for the 'Voice of the Dealer & Technician' as a critical input to Product Development and cross-functional teams, while consistently maintaining a 'Voice of the Customer mindset.'

Responsibilities

What you'll do...

Improve Serviceability in Future Product Designs:

• Proactively collaborate with IPTSE Product Development (PD) teams to influence core and program design for enhanced serviceability of advanced thermal systems, next generation cooling strategies, and overall customer ownership experience.
• Engage PD teams at early design milestones to positively impact vehicle serviceability, reduce Cost of Ownership, and improve repair cost and quality for current and future models including efficient implementation of current technology and creating clear strategies for future technology.
• Monitor, introduce, and refine service requirements, ensuring compliance or approved deviations by supporting thermal system PD and embedding Service consideration.
• Strategically identify Essential Special Service Tools (ESSTs) and secure their funding through Financial Information Requests, while actively working to minimize the overall need for specialized tooling by reusing ESSTs or eliminating the need.
• Drive the achievement of targeted Warranty Cost Avoidance objectives by identifying and implementing serviceability improvements (e.g., reducing service labor times, optimizing component-level service, minimizing ESST needs)
• Monitor Work Shop Manual revisions and verify industry procedures
• Educate PD on Service considerations and answer "why" this matters to The Company

Program Launch Support:

• Become a Design for Service IPTSE Subject Matter Expert to support DFS Program Managers and Specialists via training, updates, and other support
• Create and maintain scalable internal technical resources i.e. presentations, playbooks, etc.
• Educate DFS team members on new technology being introduced to their Programs
• Participate in serviceability trials and competitive benchmarking activities.
• Support the delivery of FCSD requirements tracked via the Global Launch Scorecard (including ESSTs, Diagnostics, Service Information Training, Owner's Manual, Service Parts and Major Service Issues).
• Support program Team Value Management (TVM) actions with requested feedback to ensure successful TVM implementation and downstream impact.

Deliver Common and Efficient Global Processes:

• Conduct regular external visits to validate the "Voice of the Technician" and bring ground-truth data to PD.
• Work with Core PD teams to develop new service-based requirements based on data, new technologies, and lessons learned
• Own the maintenance, updates, and authoring of new service Digital Pre-assembly (DPA-4) assessments.
• Lead reviews of DPA-4 service issues for Core, Unit, and Technical Design Reviews (TDRs), facilitating escalation and alignment as needed.
• Support reviews of DPA-4 service issues for Program Review Meetings, facilitating escalation and alignment as needed.
• Support the Serviceability Process Team in developing Design for Service Processes and Training Modules.
• Utilize AI-driven insights and tools for predictive serviceability analysis and process optimization.

Qualifications

You'll have...

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience in automotive repair services
• 3+ years of experience related to assembly/disassembly of automotive systems/components and use of technical publications

Even better, you may have...

• Bachelor's degree in automotive technology or automotive engineering preferred
• 2+ years of experience with automotive Computer-aided Design (CAD)
• Service Technician Specialty Training (STST) certifications and/or ASE certifications
• Familiarity and experience with Dealer Operations are strongly preferred (specifically tied to Fixed Operations)
• Ability to analyze warranty data and build business cases for design changes
• Ability to manage critical timing and conflicting demands
• Project manage and progress multiple work streams at once
• Lead through influence and…