Ford Motor Company

Product & Program Definition Specialist

Ford Motor Company$66K — $162K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business Analytics, Data Science, or related field.
  • 0-7 years of experience in program management, data analysis, or product definition role, preferably in the automotive industry.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to create and deliver clear, concise, and engaging presentations.
  • Analytical, detail-oriented, and adaptable.
  • Familiarity with project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall).
  • Strong Excel & PowerPoint skills.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct SME deep dives to capture current state scenarios, pain points & opportunities.
  • Develop use case/scenario models to illustrate impacts of proposed changes.
  • Create future state product architecture for new processes.
  • Prepare design templates, points of view (POVs), and supporting documentation.
  • Validate future-state processes through testing and analysis.
  • Identify potential adoption gaps and develop mitigation strategies.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate findings and recommendations.

Benefits

  • Hybrid working model with potential onsite requirements.
  • Opportunity to work within a highly innovative and analytical team.
  • Exposure to cutting-edge automotive product development processes.
  • Professional development and growth opportunities within the organization.
Full Job Description
Job Description

In this position...

Ford is seeking a highly analytical and innovative practitioner to join the Product Definition Team within Ford's Vehicle Program Management Team, playing a critical role in modernizing our product development & definition processes. This role will shape the future of Ford's product & program definition through innovation of packages, features & rules, fundamentally transforming how Ford communicates the product through the entire industrial system. This is a dynamic role requiring a blend of analytical skills, creative problem-solving, effective communication, and project management capabilities. You will be instrumental in leveraging data, contributing new concepts, and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our product and program definition process.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...
  • Conducting SME deep dives, captures current state scenarios, pain points & opportunities.
  • Develop use case/scenario models to illustrate the impact of proposed changes.
  • Create future state product architecture to support the design and implementation of new processes.
  • Prepare design templates, points of view (POVs), and other supporting documentation.
  • Validate the design of future-state processes through testing and analysis.
  • Identify potential adoption gaps, risks, challenges, and develop mitigation strategies.
  • Prepare and deliver compelling presentations to various audiences, including senior management, clearly communicating findings and recommendations.
  • Proactively contribute innovative concepts and solutions to improve product definition processes.
  • Effectively communicate ideas, challenge existing assumptions, and contribute constructively to team settings.
  • A willingness to learn tools and help shape future concepts for Ford's business teams.
  • Organize, run, and document meeting outcomes.


Qualifications

You'll have...
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business Analytics, Data Science, or related field.
  • 0-7 years of experience in program management, data analysis or product definition role, preferably within the automotive industry or consulting.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to create and deliver clear, concise, and engaging presentations to diverse audiences.
  • Analytical, detail-oriented, and adaptable.
  • Comfortable voicing opinions and sharing innovative concepts within a team setting.
  • Experience with project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall).
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
  • Experience with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneNote to communicate in a team environment.
  • Strong Excel & PowerPoint skills.
  • Experience with data analysis tools (Excel with VB or Power BI).


Even better, you'll have...
  • PMP certification.
  • Master's degree in engineering, Program Management or a relevant Business area.
  • Knowledge of Jira & Confluence
  • Knowledge/understanding of relevant industry standards and processes, including automotive-specific terminology, product development lifecycles and key market trends and processes.
  • Experience/knowledge in systems engineering in a manufacturing setting.
  • Experience working with BOMs (Bills of Materials), program teams, engineering teams, and product definition systems.
  • Experience with MDM/ERP/PLM/CAD systems (any).
  • Understanding of engineering, manufacturing or other industrial business systems and their interaction with product definition processes.
  • Working knowledge of part codification and vehicle codification methodologies.
  • Knowledge of automotive supply chain management, purchasing processes, or related areas.
  • Familiarity with other relevant automotive tools and systems.


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 of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care 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.

This position is a salary grade 5 to salary grade 8 and ranges from $66,660-$162,540.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.

#LI-Hybrid
#LI-DE2

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company manufactures or distributes automobiles in addition to offering financial services. The company sells to dealerships for retail sales, and for sale to fleet customers, including commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. Ford’s vehicle portfolio includes automobiles, buses, tractors, and trucks. Retail financing includes retail installment sale contracts for new and used vehicles, and direct financing leases for new vehicles to retail customers, government entities, daily rental car companies, and fleet customers. Finance receivables in the non-consumer portfolio include products offered to automotive dealers. Ford’s environmental initiatives include compressed natural gas, flexible fuel vehicles, electric drive vehicles, Hydrogen, PC power management, and so on. Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903 and is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford Motor Company Careers

Join the dynamic team at Ford Motor Company, a global leader in automotive innovation and manufacturing. At Ford, we are committed to driving human progress by providing outstanding vehicles and mobility solutions. This is an exciting time to become part of our inclusive team, where job opportunities abound and growth is not just a possibility, but a promise.

Work You’ll Do

At Ford Motor Company, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our professionals are at the forefront of automotive technology, leading projects that redefine transportation and sustainability. With a culture rooted in continuous improvement and respect for all, Ford offers a workplace where leadership, diversity training, and innovation are part of everyday life.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

Ford’s commitment to excellence is why we are a leader in the automotive sector. We offer a variety of career paths, from engineering to marketing, all designed to foster professional and personal growth. Our team benefits from Ford’s commitment to professional development and networking opportunities, ensuring that every team member can reach their full potential.

Innovative Work

Engage in work that makes a difference. Ford Motor Company is pioneering developments in electrification, autonomous vehicles, and smart mobility solutions. Our team of over 190,000 employees worldwide is dedicated to crafting experiences that improve the way the world moves.

Be Part of a Great Team

Working at Ford means more than just having a job; it means being part of a global family. Our culture promotes teamwork, integrity, and respect—values that underpin everything we do. We believe in nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment where every employee can thrive.

Future-Proof Your Career

Ford Motor Company is not just a great place to work; it’s a place to build a lasting career. Our employees enjoy competitive benefits, comprehensive health care, and retirement plans that rank among the best in the industry. We support career advancement through extensive training programs and hands-on experience in the latest automotive technologies.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a student interested in an internship, Ford has opportunities that will harness your skills and ignite your ambition. Our hiring process is straightforward and respectful, designed to match your skills and passions with the right position.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Ready to start your journey with Ford? Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that’s building the future of transportation.

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Learn more about Ford Motor Company
Size
183,000 employees
Market Cap
$44.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$1.2 billion
Founded
1903
5 Year Trend
-2.1%
Revenue
$127.1 billion
NASDAQ

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