Director, Product Line Performance – Utilities

Ford Motor Company

Director leading product line performance for Utilities at Ford. Driving profitability and cost optimization for Explorer and Expedition vehicle lines.

Posted 6/8/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the delivery of comprehensive profitability and EBIT targets for the Explorer and Expedition vehicle lines.
Identify incremental profit opportunities and lead cross-functional delivery teams to execute them (e.g., resolving production constraints and driving optimization across vehicle lines).
Serve as the lead point of view (POV) holder for customer-facing cost-reduction actions, partnering with Product Development and Product Marketing to deliver cost targets.
Develop robust business proposals, financial evaluations, and automotive business cases to support vehicle line health and investment decisions.
Lead the Utilities operating rhythm by managing the segment's "franchise room" and directing EBIT improvement forums and workstreams.
Act as the primary business unit interface with adjacent enterprise partners—including Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD), Integrated Services, Ford Pro, and others—to maximize enterprise-wide profits.
Establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs) and drive a rigorous execution cadence to resolve critical product and program issues quickly.
Provide essential strategic support for utility vehicles, including cycle plan studies, cross-vehicle line optimization initiatives, and volume aspiration analyses.
Translate market, competitive, and customer data into clear strategic choices that guide engineering, manufacturing, and marketing investments.
Organize and lead "Gemba" activities (direct, on-the-ground operational reviews) to identify efficiency gains and quality improvements across the segment.
Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing product line performance team, fostering a culture of extreme ownership, analytical rigor, and cross-functional collaboration.
Influence and align diverse, matrixed skill teams (including Product Development, Marketing, Sales, Purchasing, and Finance) without direct line authority to achieve segment goals.
Empower team members to make data-driven decisions that align with the broader utility portfolio strategy.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, Economics, or a closely related field.
12+ years of progressive professional experience in the automotive industry, with a strong background in product line management, finance, product development, or program management (or 10+ years of experience with a Master’s degree/MBA).
5+ years in leadership roles with direct accountability for enterprise-level strategic outcomes and leading/developing high-performing teams.
Proven track record of successfully leading and influencing multi-disciplinary teams in a matrixed global environment.
MBA or Master’s degree in a technical or business field.
Business acumen with a demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial data and distill it down to the key physical drivers that impact profitability.
Experience leading complexity reduction, or material cost-optimization initiatives within a major automotive OEM.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex, high-priority projects simultaneously while maintaining a relentless focus on KPI delivery.
Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with extensive experience preparing and delivering strategic briefings for executive leadership.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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.

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

financial evaluationsautomotive business casesprofitability analysiscost-reduction actionskey performance indicatorsdata-driven decision makingcomplex financial data analysisproject managementproduct line managementprogram management

Soft Skills

leadershipcross-functional collaborationanalytical rigorinfluencing skillscommunication skillspresentation skillsmentoringstrategic thinkingproblem-solvingteam development

Certifications

MBAMaster's degree in BusinessMaster's degree in EngineeringMaster's degree in Economics