MP&L Strategy and Planning Manager

Ford • Dearborn, MI

17h • $138,240 - $261,720 • Onsite

About The Position

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?
As part of our Manufacturing team, you’ll help build the world-class, state-of-the-art smart vehicles we're known for. In our plants around the world, we’re constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. You'll get the satisfaction of making great products people use and love.
Ford is undergoing a significant digital transformation of its global supply chain and manufacturing operations. As a result, we are seeking a highly skilled and strategic MP&L Business Process Manager to lead critical initiatives that will modernize our Material Planning & Logistics (MP&L) capabilities.
In this role…
You will be at the forefront of deploying SAP S4 Hana, SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), and cutting-edge Intelligent Inventory technologies across our global enterprise. Further, you will be instrumental in re-imagining, standardizing, and optimizing our MP&L processes, ensuring a seamless transition from legacy systems, and driving the adoption of new, advanced solutions to enhance efficiency, visibility, and accuracy across our global supply network.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Experience:
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Material Planning & Logistics, Supply Chain Operations, or IT business process transformation.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience leading and deploying large-scale SAP implementations, specifically with SAP S4 Hana and SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM).
• Travel up to 45% during launch phases
• Demonstrated experience with legacy system migrations or conversions, ideally from mainframe MRP systems to modern ERP platforms.
• Proven expertise in business process re-engineering, optimization, and standardization within a complex global manufacturing environment.
• Background in change management principles and methodologies
• Experience with intelligent inventory technologies such as RFID, labeling, or other supply chain digitization initiatives.
• Project management experience with a track record of delivering complex projects on time and within scope.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex business requirements into technical solutions.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing and collaborating effectively with all levels of the organization, from shop floor to executive leadership.
• Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to drive consensus and manage diverse stakeholder expectations.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to connect detailed process changes to broader business objectives and outcomes.
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies.
• Experience in RFID and labeling technology
• Demonstrated experience working in an automotive manufacturing environment

Responsibilities

• SAP S4 Hana Conversion Leadership:
• Lead the comprehensive deployment and change management efforts for the global conversion of Ford's mainframe MRP system (CMMS) to SAP S4 Hana.
• Collaborate with IT, business stakeholders, and implementation partners to define, design, and implement optimized MP&L processes within the S4 Hana environment.
• Oversee process documentation, gap analysis, solution design, testing, training material development, and end-user training delivery.
• Manage go-live activities, hypercare support, and post-implementation optimization to ensure successful system adoption and realization of business benefits.
• SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) Deployment:
• Drive the deployment of SAP EWM across relevant Ford manufacturing plants and distribution centers globally.
• Work closely with warehouse operations teams to standardize and optimize inbound, outbound, internal, and storage processes within EWM.
• Ensure EWM integration with S4 Hana and other critical systems, focusing on real-time inventory accuracy, efficient material flow, and labor optimization.
• Intelligent Inventory Initiative - Global Transportation Label & RFID Technology:
• Lead the global deployment of the Intelligent Inventory initiative, focusing on the standardization and implementation of Global Transportation Labels and RFID Technology.
• Develop and execute strategies for leveraging RFID for enhanced inventory visibility, traceability, and accuracy from supplier to plant.
• Drive the adoption of these technologies to reduce manual efforts, improve data quality, and enable advanced analytics for inventory optimization.
• Business Process Management & Optimization:
• Conduct in-depth analysis of current MP&L business processes, identifying inefficiencies, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Design and implement future-state processes that align with SAP best practices and leverage new technological capabilities.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of new processes and systems.
• Champion continuous improvement methodologies to drive ongoing operational excellence.
• Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement:
• Develop and execute robust change management strategies to ensure smooth adoption of new systems and processes by end-users.
• Engage and influence diverse stakeholders across various functions (Manufacturing, Purchasing, IT, Finance, Plant Operations) and global regions.
• Facilitate workshops, presentations, and communication plans to build understanding, generate buy-in, and manage resistance.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship:
• Lead a team of business analysts or process specialists, providing guidance, mentorship, and support.
• Act as a subject matter expert, sharing knowledge and best practices within the MP&L and IT communities.

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: Manager