Ford Motor
Chief, Quality Operating System, Governance and Standards
Ford Motor, Dearborn, Michigan, United States, 48120
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading cross-functional quality governance, managing UAW quality engagement, and overseeing the Stop Ship process to protect customers and brand integrity. This role requires a strategic thinker with deep operational expertise, strong stakeholder management skills, and a passion for driving systemic quality improvements.
Qualifications You’ll Have…
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related technical field.
Minimum of 15 years of experience in automotive manufacturing quality, with significant leadership in quality systems and governance.
Proven track record in managing Stop Ship processes and leading cross‑functional issue resolution.
Deep understanding of quality standards, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing operations.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience engaging unionized workforces.
Demonstrated ability to lead change, influence stakeholders, and drive systemic improvements.
You may also have…
Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), or related field.
Experience with digital quality systems, predictive analytics, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
Experience working in a global matrix organization.
Familiarity with Ford’s QOS framework and UAW partnership models.
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. You’ll also experience exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.
Our benefits summary can be found Here.
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 leadership level 4. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are 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. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1‑888‑336‑0660.
Onsite work of up to four days per week may be required for candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub location. #LI-Onsite #LI-MB3
Responsibilities You Will…
Quality Operating System & Governance Leadership
Develop and implement a robust Quality Operating System framework aligned with global standards and tailored to North American manufacturing needs.
Establish governance mechanisms to ensure consistent execution of quality processes across plants and programs.
Lead periodic QOS reviews, audits, and maturity assessments to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
Standards & Process Management
Own the development, deployment, and maintenance of manufacturing quality standards, procedures, and best practices.
Ensure alignment with global quality standards (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001) and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with engineering, product development, and manufacturing teams to embed quality standards early in the product lifecycle.
Stop Ship Leadership
Lead the Stop Ship governance process for North America, ensuring rapid response, root cause identification, and resolution of critical quality issues.
Serve as the escalation point for manufacturing‑related Stop Ship decisions, balancing risk, customer impact, and operational feasibility.
Coordinate cross‑functional teams to implement containment, corrective actions, and communication protocols.
UAW Quality Engagement
Serve as the primary quality liaison with UAW leadership, fostering collaboration and alignment on quality initiatives.
Develop and deploy joint quality improvement programs, training, and recognition systems with UAW partners.
Promote a culture of shared ownership for quality across all levels of the workforce.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Reporting
Interface with Product Development, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Plant Operations to ensure quality governance is embedded across functions.
Represent QOS and Stop Ship status in executive forums, providing clear updates on risks, actions, and outcomes.
Leverage data analytics and digital tools to monitor compliance, identify trends, and drive proactive quality interventions.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Qualifications You’ll Have…
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related technical field.
Minimum of 15 years of experience in automotive manufacturing quality, with significant leadership in quality systems and governance.
Proven track record in managing Stop Ship processes and leading cross‑functional issue resolution.
Deep understanding of quality standards, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing operations.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience engaging unionized workforces.
Demonstrated ability to lead change, influence stakeholders, and drive systemic improvements.
You may also have…
Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), or related field.
Experience with digital quality systems, predictive analytics, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
Experience working in a global matrix organization.
Familiarity with Ford’s QOS framework and UAW partnership models.
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. You’ll also experience exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.
Our benefits summary can be found Here.
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 leadership level 4. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are 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. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1‑888‑336‑0660.
Onsite work of up to four days per week may be required for candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub location. #LI-Onsite #LI-MB3
Responsibilities You Will…
Quality Operating System & Governance Leadership
Develop and implement a robust Quality Operating System framework aligned with global standards and tailored to North American manufacturing needs.
Establish governance mechanisms to ensure consistent execution of quality processes across plants and programs.
Lead periodic QOS reviews, audits, and maturity assessments to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
Standards & Process Management
Own the development, deployment, and maintenance of manufacturing quality standards, procedures, and best practices.
Ensure alignment with global quality standards (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001) and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with engineering, product development, and manufacturing teams to embed quality standards early in the product lifecycle.
Stop Ship Leadership
Lead the Stop Ship governance process for North America, ensuring rapid response, root cause identification, and resolution of critical quality issues.
Serve as the escalation point for manufacturing‑related Stop Ship decisions, balancing risk, customer impact, and operational feasibility.
Coordinate cross‑functional teams to implement containment, corrective actions, and communication protocols.
UAW Quality Engagement
Serve as the primary quality liaison with UAW leadership, fostering collaboration and alignment on quality initiatives.
Develop and deploy joint quality improvement programs, training, and recognition systems with UAW partners.
Promote a culture of shared ownership for quality across all levels of the workforce.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Reporting
Interface with Product Development, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Plant Operations to ensure quality governance is embedded across functions.
Represent QOS and Stop Ship status in executive forums, providing clear updates on risks, actions, and outcomes.
Leverage data analytics and digital tools to monitor compliance, identify trends, and drive proactive quality interventions.
#J-18808-Ljbffr