Advance Product Concepting Specialist

Ford • Dearborn, MI

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.
If good is just never good enough for you, Ford Quality shares your passion for striving for perfection. We’re responsible for driving the continuous improvement efforts that enable Ford to deliver the highest quality products and services. Help us drive operational excellence through such innovative, proprietary initiatives as our Global Product Development System, Quality Operating System and New Model Launch. Work cross-functionally and closely with integrated teams in Manufacturing, Product Development, Purchasing, Marketing, Sales and Service.
In this position...
We are seeking a highly creative and experienced Product Concepting Specialist (LL6) to join our innovative team within Ford's Advanced Product Concepting team. This role requires a deep understanding of the customer and market landscape, a proven track record of generating successful product concepts, and the ability to lead and mentor junior team members. You will work within the product ideation space, assessing customer, market research, and other critical inputs with a cross-functional team to develop value and differentiation. Your work will directly influence the future of Ford's electric vehicle portfolio.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., engineering, design, marketing, business).
• 5+ years of experience in strategy, marketing, product concepting, product management, or a related field within the automotive industry.
• Proven ability to generate innovative and commercially viable product concepts.
• Deep understanding of the automotive market, including competitive landscape, customer needs, and technological advancements.
• Ability to interpret data to identify opportunities that deliver market value and differentiation.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly communicate a concept through story telling to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in creating compelling concept documents and presentations.
• Experience working with global cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle, specifically within the automotive industry.
• Proficiency in design thinking methodologies.
• Strong leadership and mentorship skills.

Nice To Haves

• An MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
• 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!

Responsibilities

• Concept Generation: Lead brainstorming sessions, utilizing various ideation techniques to generate innovative and commercially viable product concepts aligned with Ford's strategic goals. This includes exploring new vehicle architectures, powertrain technologies, and user experiences.
• Market Research & Analysis: Study and understand the market research to understand the unmet customer needs within the segment, analyze competitive landscapes, and utilize emerging trends relevant to potential product concepts. This includes analyzing market data, competitor offerings, customer feedback, and government regulations impacting the industry.
• Concept Development & Documentation: Develop detailed concept documents, including translating the concept into product actions (including range, charging capabilities, and technology integration), functionality, and defining the concept emotional and attitudinal. This involves creating compelling narratives and visual representations of the concepts, utilizing data visualization and other tools.
• Process Improvement & Optimization: Continuously evaluate and refine the product concepting process based on lessons learned from past projects, industry best practices, and emerging technologies. This includes identifying areas for improvement in efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation, proposing and implementing changes to the process.
• Presentation & Communication: Effectively communicate product concepts to senior leadership, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams through compelling presentations and clear, concise written communication.
• Mentorship & Guidance: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members, fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment within Ford's EV Programs.
• Staying Current: Maintain a deep understanding of industry trends, technologies, and best practices in product development and concepting, including advancements in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and different types of EV propulsion systems.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level