Manager - Paint and Trim

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.

Join us in shaping the future of Ford Motor Company, as part of a global organization with exceptional colleagues in world-class facilities. As part of Ford Design , you’ll be at the cutting edge of Ford’s most strategically critical work, designing people and society’s needs into the heart of our next generation of products, services, and experiences.

As a manager in design fabrication, you will lead a strong, cross functional team of prototype technologists, trim developers and vehicle paint technologists to bring concepts to life in the form of high-fidelity physical prototypes. Leveraging your expertise in automotive design/engineering and prototyping techniques you will have the opportunity to see the future of Ford firsthand and play a pivotal role in the early-stage development of the next generation of Ford vehicles, content and experiences.

This role requires a deep understanding of automotive systems and subsystems, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage a large, complex team to deliver physical prototypes on time and with quality.

• Prototype Teams you will lead:

• Paint

• Trim

• Lead a team of prototype technologists to deliver high fidelity physical prototypes on time and with quality including

• Show / Concept / Pre-Production vehicles

• Interior and exterior systems (Ex: Lighting, Closures, Instruments Panels, Consoles, Seats)

• Interior and exterior components (Ex: Buttons, nobs and switches)

• Interior and exterior clay models

• Color development for future model programs

• Trim development for future model programs

• Etc.

• Support the development of prototype build plans, lead the team through delivering prototypes on time and with quality - Plan and organize the workload and job assignments of subordinate personnel accordingly

• Recommend and implement training and development plans for subordinates. Assist leadership in the proper and effective implementation of personnel programs, including performance reviews, salary planning and employee counseling.

• Be comfortable with complexity—finding opportunities and clear paths in ambiguous environments. You’re comfortable facilitating senior stakeholder discussions

• Have strong people management and leadership skills to hire, develop, and inspire the creative team.

• Work collaboratively with design, engineering and marketing to align on scope of work, build timing and budget - managing your teams deliverables throughout the prototype build cycle

• Leverage knowledge of prototype technologies and build workflows - identify and document opportunity areas and process efficiencies and action those as appropriate

• Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to continuously improve prototypes.

• Cultivate employee engagement and improve morale. Embody our culture and steward others in the direction of our shared values and ways of working inside the shops and with Ford. You have patience to mentor and coach others through difficult challenges and can serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.

• Bachelors degree in engineering, design, business or equivalent

• Ability to lead a team in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment

• 5+ years of experience managing teams within design, engineering or manufacturing, experience with trim development, paint development and application highly preferred

• 10+ years of experience working in automotive engineering and/or design with a strong understanding of vehicle level systems and subsystems

• 10+ years of experience leading complex projects and project teams – leveraging program management tools as appropriate

• 10+ years of experience leveraging prototype manufacturing techniques to build high fidelity prototypes such as additive manufacturing (3D Printing), milling, fiberglass layups, clay modeling, etc.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively.

• Excellent communication and teamwork…