Manufacturing L&D Manager

Ford Motor Company

Strategic Manufacturing Learning Operations leader enhancing capability across global manufacturing network. Providing enterprise leadership for systems and processes ensuring effective learning investments.

Posted 4/24/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $138,240 - $261,720 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, Engineering, or similar) or equivalent experience
Demonstrated or direct experience creating learning and/or training programs
Experience designing, implementing, and maintaining competency and/or skills frameworks, including governance, version control, and stakeholder alignment.
Manufacturing experience, including experience working in and leading learning teams within a plant/manufacturing environment, with demonstrated understanding of plant operations, production systems, and frontline workforce development.
Strong strategic thinking skills including the ability to impart or exchange information as a means of connecting people or places for the enhancement of business outcomes
Strong stakeholder management skills
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills and proven record of accomplishment in effectively achieving results in a cross functional or matrix environment
Strong facilitation skills; able to plan and lead effective workshops, governance forums, and stakeholder working sessions.
High-energy, engaging presence with the ability to influence and connect with employees at all levels; demonstrated servant leadership and a learner-first mindset.
Outstanding written and presentation skills
Led team of at least 5+ employees.
**Even better, you may have...**
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Learning/Instructional Design, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or related field
Automotive manufacturing experience (preferred/bonus).
In-depth knowledge of Adult Learning Theory Principles and Learning Evaluation strategies
Stays current on latest learning and development technologies
Experience in lean manufacturing principles.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

learning program designcompetency framework developmentskills framework governancelearning management system (LMS) administrationlearning experience platform (LXP) administrationbudget managementdata evaluation strategymetrics developmenttraining needs assessmentreporting template development

Soft Skills

strategic thinkingstakeholder managementinterpersonal skillscollaborationfacilitationinfluenceservant leadershipcommunicationteam leadershipmentoring