Chief Engineer, Quality Manufacturing

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Job Description

We are seeking a distinguished and strategically minded executive to assume the role of Chief, Quality Manufacturing – North America. This senior leadership position is responsible for establishing and executing the overarching quality strategy for all Ford and Lincoln vehicles and components produced within the North American region.

The successful candidate will serve as the principal authority on manufacturing quality, guiding the organization in the implementation of advanced quality systems and methodologies. This role requires a visionary leader capable of fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement, while effectively managing a large and diverse team of quality professionals.

As Chief, Quality Manufacturing – North America, you will play a critical role in ensuring effective product launches, robust manufacturing processes, and the consistent delivery of world-class products. Your leadership will be instrumental in upholding Ford's enduring commitment to superior craftsmanship and exceptional customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision : Define, develop, and implement the comprehensive manufacturing quality strategy for all Ford North American operations, aligning with global quality objectives and regional business priorities.
• Establish clear quality targets, metrics, and dashboards across all manufacturing sites, ensuring transparency and accountability for performance.
• Drive a proactive, predictive quality mindset across the manufacturing organization, leveraging data analytics and advanced technologies to prevent defects.
• Manufacturing Program Quality Leadership : Lead and oversee the manufacturing quality aspects for all new vehicle and powertrain programs, ensuring robust quality planning and execution from early design phases through launch and steady state production.
• Direct the teams responsible for Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities within manufacturing, ensuring seamless integration with Product Development and Purchasing.
• Develop and manage staffing plans, talent development, and training programs for manufacturing program quality teams, fostering a pipeline of future quality leaders.
• Ensure rigorous application of Ford Global Quality standards and processes throughout the manufacturing program lifecycle.
• Plant Quality Engineering & Operational Excellence : Provide strategic oversight and leadership to all plant-level quality engineering functions across Ford's North American manufacturing facilities.
• Drive the implementation of robust in-station process controls, error-proofing (Poka-Yoke), and advanced quality inspection systems to minimize defects and ensure first-time quality.
• Lead high-impact problem-solving initiatives for complex manufacturing quality issues, ensuring timely root cause analysis and permanent corrective actions using methodologies such as 8D, Six Sigma, and Shainin.
• Monitor, analyze, and continuously improve key manufacturing quality performance indicators (KPIs), including defects per vehicle (DPV), first-time quality (FTQ), and manufacturing-contributed warranty rates.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives within manufacturing, promoting Lean principles, Kaizen, and other methodologies to optimize quality processes.
• Team Leadership & Talent Development : Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing organization of quality professionals, including managers of manufacturing program quality and plant quality engineering teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the quality organization.
• Oversee recruitment, internal mobility, career pathing, and comprehensive training plans to build and maintain a world-class manufacturing quality team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management : Serve as the primary manufacturing quality interface with key cross-functional partners including Product Development, Engineering, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Customer Service Division, and Plant Operations leadership.
• Collaborate closely with Global Manufacturing Quality counterparts to ensure alignment and leverage best practices across regions.
• Represent North American Manufacturing Quality in executive reviews, ensuring clear and concise communication of quality status, risks, and mitigation plans.

Qualifications

What You'll Receive In Return

As part of the Ford family, you'll enjoy excellent compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous PTO, retirement, savings and stock investment plans, incentive compensation, and much more.

Ford Motor Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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.

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