Ford is seeking a strategic Manufacturing Learning Operations leader to strengthen and scale how we build capability across our global manufacturing network. This role provides enterprise leadership for the systems, governance, and data-driven processes that ensure learning investments translate into measurable readiness, performance, and compliance across Global Ford Manufacturing.
In this position ...
The primary deliverables for this role are to: (1) provide strategic leadership, management, and ongoing maintenance of the Manufacturing Capabilities Framework; (2) lead Global Manufacturing Governance through a Manufacturing Learning Council to align priorities and standards; (3) shape and lead the enterprise approach to Learning Needs Assessment and Learning Data/Evaluation strategy; and (4) define, implement, and sustain the structure, expectations, and operating cadence for Plant Training & Development Leads to drive consistent execution across plants.
What you'll do ...
- Set the enterprise strategy and multi-year roadmap for Manufacturing Learning Operations, aligning plant capability needs to business priorities while ensuring scalable, cost-effective execution.
- Own the Manufacturing Capabilities Framework: define standards, governance, version control, stakeholder input mechanisms, and an ongoing maintenance process to keep capabilities current as technologies and processes evolve.
- Lead the enterprise Learning Needs Assessment approach across plants (methods, cadence, stakeholder roles), assessing performance needs and translating findings into prioritized capability gaps and an actionable learning portfolio.
- Define and govern the Learning Data & Evaluation strategy (metrics, dashboards, measurement standards, and system requirements) to monitor workforce skills gaps, training needs, and program effectiveness, and to demonstrate impact, adoption, and readiness outcomes.
- Lead Global Manufacturing Governance through a Manufacturing Learning Council, engaging senior HR and business stakeholders to set priorities, approve standards, remove barriers, and communicate decisions and progress.
- Establish and sustain the operating model for Plant Training & Development Leads (role clarity, onboarding, and development, routines, community of practice, escalation paths, and shared artifacts) to drive consistent deployment and continuous improvement across regions.
- Lead the Ford Production System team’s monthly newsletter and website ensuring clear, consistent communication that engages global Manufacturing employees with current development information, learning resources, and upcoming events.
- Manage budgets and expenditures; negotiate contracts and agreements, ensuring timely delivery and quality of services
- Actively role model and advocate a culture of learning to enhance employee knowledge, skills, and behaviors, supporting business needs
- Manage and oversee LMS and LXP administration and governance, ensuring accurate, complete, and confidential learning records in accordance with established company wide policies.
- Develop relevant standards, procedures, and reporting templates to ensure efficient and effective learning experiences
- Actively engage and partner with other Ford Learning and Development teams to share and leverage best practices.
- Perform talent management responsibilities including staffing, performance, pay decisions, team development, and other personnel actions for the Learning and Development function
- Lead, motivate, and mentor a team; foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment. Proven experience building and leading high-performing teams
