Automation Manager — Supply Chain & Logistics

Ford Motor Company; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 113,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Family care benefits

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company in southeast Michigan seeks a senior specialist to lead material handling automation projects within PS&L. You will drive network automation, build executive-level business cases, and coordinate cross-functional efforts across operations, IT, finance, purchasing, and safety.

You will manage 5–10 projects, travel 1+ week per month, and be onsite 3–4 days weekly at a Detroit area facility, helping advance efficiency and safety across the distribution network.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Supply Chain or Industrial Eng is required.
• 5+ years of material handling automation/systems experience.
• 3+ years of project management experience.
• Extremely proficient in Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong operations knowledge, preferably distribution operations.
• Collaborative with demonstrated cross-functional work style.
• Executive presence for interaction with senior leadership.
• Track record of delivering results on complex programs from inception to go-live.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and align timelines with organizational goals.
• Knowledge of warehouse design and automation best practices.

Responsibilities

• Review technology and vendor evaluation for automation initiatives.
• Develop and present detailed financial business cases with Finance.
• Lead project management from inception to execution and post-launch support.
• Collaborate with operations, IT, finance, purchasing, and safety teams.
• Benchmark internally and with external partners to identify best-in-class solutions.
• Support global FCSD operations with continuous improvement and space optimization.
• Coordinate with other Ford organizations on strategy and funding.
• Perform internal purchasing to issue POs, process invoices, and reconcile discrepancies.
• Identify deficiencies in material flow and recommend automation based on data analysis.
• Ensure systems integration with SAP EWM for North American network.
• Hit launch dates, stay within budget, and navigate a fast-paced environment.
• Conduct root-cause analyses using PDCA/A3 methodologies.

Skills

Material handling

Project management

Excel proficiency

Operations knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive presence

Results driven

Multi-project management

Education

BA/BS in Supply Chain or Industrial Eng

Master’s Degree - Recommended

Tools

AutoCAD

SAP EWM/WMS

Job description

Ford Motor Company in southeast Michigan seeks a senior specialist to lead material handling automation projects within PS&L. You will drive network automation, build executive-level business cases, and coordinate cross-functional efforts across operations, IT, finance, purchasing, and safety.

You will manage 5–10 projects, travel 1+ week per month, and be onsite 3–4 days weekly at a Detroit area facility, helping advance efficiency and safety across the distribution network.