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. What will you make today? The Ford Purchasing team adds critical value to the entire organization. You'll help us source the highest quality parts and services from around the globe while ensuring optimal cost and on-time delivery. You'll also contribute to establishing a robust supply chain so that we can continually produce the vehicles our customers want. In this position... As a Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) engineer, you will be responsible for industrializing and managing "Quality" and "Capacity" of commodities at Tier 1 Supplier sites on "new model program" launches and "in-series" production. New model program launches include Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. Depending on your assigned Supplier site locations, flexibility to travel within NA (US, MX, and Canada) is required (up to 80% travel). As a Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) engineer, you will be responsible for industrializing and managing "Quality" and "Capacity" of commodities at Tier 1 Supplier sites on "new model program" launches and "in-series" production. New model program launches include Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. Depending on your assigned Supplier site locations, flexibility to travel within NA (US, MX, and Canada) is required (max. 3-4 days / week). What you'll do... * Conduct Launch Readiness Reviews at Supplier sites as per Ford's Supplier Engagement Process for future model programs * Promptly escalate significant constraints (ex: quality/launch) issues to the appropriate management levels * Conduct Manufacturing Site Assessments (MSA), identifying gaps, and establishing/monitoring CIAP's (Continuous Improvement Action Plans) * Conduct onsite evaluation visits for Priority commodities as per GPDS supplier engagement process for new programs * Support Capacity Purchasing Team by interfacing with Suppliers and Ford Cross Functional Team members * Drive capacity/uplift actions with Suppliers in accordance with Global Capacity Planning (GCP) and Manufacturing Capacity Planning Volumes (MCPV) study requirements * Drive/Support Supplier Process capacity issue resolution. Work with Ford and Supplier teams to manage "Date To Green (DTG)" plan(s) * Review and approve Supplier Capacity Analysis Reports (CAR) ensuring compliance to capacity requirements * Review supplier incremental tooling work plans ensuring that plans comply to PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) requirements * Review and approve PPAP's (Production Part Approval Process) for engineering changes, supplier driven (SREA) changes, and new tooled end items * Drive on-time PPAP submissions ensuring that supplier project timing plans are on track * Monitor supply status of 24/7 suppliers. Monitor PPAP's that go beyond program timing using Ford recommended tools (ex. Blue Bar/Rate of Climb Charts) * Drive robust Supplier Failure Mode Avoidance by Deep Diving: * DFMEA's/PFMEA's * Special Characteristics Agreements (SCCAF) * Control Plans * Manufacturing Feasibility * Drive Supplier manufacturing "Process Standards" (Health Charts) compliance and support development of new process standards * Drive Supplier "Manufacturing Process Audits" (Special Processes) compliance utilizing STA Technical Specialists when needed * Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing excellence through Q1 MSA deployment, Q1 attainment / retention, Health Chart deployment, and Supplier training as required. * Drive deployment & improvement of Quality performance requirements (Q1, Quality Rejects, Warranty Metrics - R/1000, CPU, TGWs), through Q1 MSA, Warranty Reduction, Benchmarking, Lean Mfg., G8D (Global 8 Disciplines) methodology, PFMEA, SPC (Statistical Process Control), Gage R&R (Repeatability and Reproducibility), etc., as required * Drive new Supplier Site Evaluations and Supplier Risk Assessment on new sourcing in support of Global Council Steering Teams, identifying Risk Mitigation. * Drive closure of Supplier process Quality issues related to Stop Ship Builds, Field Service Actions, and BSAQ (Balanced Single Agenda for Quality) warranty projects. * Drive compliance to all organizational and corporate training requirements * Travel within NA, MX and/or Canada, depending on assigned supplier site locations What you'll do... * Conduct Launch Readiness Reviews at Supplier sites as per Ford's Supplier Engagement Process for future model programs * Promptly escalate significant constraints (ex: quality/launch) issues to the appropriate management levels * Conduct Manufacturing Site Assessments (MSA), identifying gaps, and establishing/monitoring CIAP's (Continuous Improvement Action Plans) * Conduct onsite evaluation visits for Priority commodities as per GPDS supplier engagement process for new programs * Support Capacity Purchasing Team by interfacing with Suppliers and Ford Cross Functional Team members * Drive capacity/uplift actions with Suppliers in accordance with Global Capacity Planning (GCP) and Manufacturing Capacity Planning Volumes (MCPV) study requirements * Drive/Support Supplier Process capacity issue resolution. Work with Ford and Supplier teams to manage "Date To Green (DTG)" plan(s) * Review and approve Supplier Capacity Analysis Reports (CAR) ensuring compliance to capacity requirements * Review supplier incremental tooling work plans ensuring that plans comply to PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) requirements * Review and approve PPAP's (Production Part Approval Process) for engineering changes, supplier driven (SREA) changes, and new tooled end items * Drive on-time PPAP submissions ensuring that supplier project timing plans are on track * Monitor supply status of 24/7 suppliers. Monitor PPAP's that go beyond program timing using Ford recommended tools (ex. Blue Bar/Rate of Climb Charts) * Drive robust Supplier Failure Mode Avoidance by Deep Diving: * DFMEA's/PFMEA's * Special Characteristics Agreements (SCCAF) * Control Plans * Manufacturing Feasibility * Drive Supplier manufacturing "Process Standards" (Health Charts) compliance and support development of new process standards * Drive Supplier "Manufacturing Process Audits" (Special Processes) compliance utilizing STA Technical Specialists when needed * Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing excellence through Q1 MSA deployment, Q1 attainment / retention, Health Chart deployment, and Supplier training as required. * Drive deployment & improvement of Quality performance requirements (Q1, Quality Rejects, Warranty Metrics - R/1000, CPU, TGWs), through Q1 MSA, Warranty Reduction, Benchmarking, Lean Mfg., G8D (Global 8 Disciplines) methodology, PFMEA, SPC (Statistical Process Control), Gage R&R (Repeatability and Reproducibility), etc., as required * Drive new Supplier Site Evaluations and Supplier Risk Assessment on new sourcing in support of Global Council Steering Teams, identifying Risk Mitigation. * Drive closure of Supplier process Quality issues related to Stop Ship Builds, Field Service Actions, and BSAQ (Balanced Single Agenda for Quality) warranty projects. * Drive compliance to all organizational and corporate training requirements * Travel within NA, MX and/or Canada, depending on assigned supplier site locations