Company to Dealer Manager, Global Dealer Engagement

Company to Dealer Manager, Global Dealer Engagement 

 

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? 

Our Global Dealer Engagement team builds successful partnerships with our 9,500 dealers and helps them unlock their full potential and increase customer satisfaction. We focus on training and productivity, governance, customer sentiment, diversity, community, retail excellence, systems and process modernization, and rewards and recognition to help our dealers differentiate themselves from the competition and maximize their strengths.

 

What you'll do...

As a Global Dealer Engagement (GDE) Supervisor, you will provide strategic leadership and direction for the modernization of Ford's Company-to-Dealer systems and processes. You will champion the voice of our global dealer network, fostering strong relationships with dealers and key stakeholders to drive impactful, long-term improvements. This role requires strategic thinking, exceptional communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to translate complex technical information into actionable plans. You will lead and mentor a team, driving the execution of multiple concurrent projects, and influencing cross-functional teams to deliver results in a fast-paced, global environment.

Strategic Leadership & Team Management: Lead company to dealer efforts setting strategic direction for system modernization; support and track project timelines and delivery. 

Global Dealer Governance: Serve as the DRI for key modernization efforts; support and lead quarterly Global Dealer Engagement Steering Committee meetings and monthly check-ins; prepare materials, issue minutes, and drive action items; utilize the Global Dealer Governance Process to demonstrate progress to dealers.

System Prioritization & Modernization: Maintain an inventory of systems needing prioritization; collaborate with stakeholders to define and prioritize modernization efforts based on business value and dealer impact; lead cross-functional teams to deliver projects; conduct regular benchmarking.

Dealer Relationship & Advocacy: Serve as a primary liaison for global dealers; actively solicit feedback, translating needs into actionable insights, and proactively resolving concerns; build and maintain strong relationships with dealers, regional sales teams, and business stakeholders.

Issue Resolution & Communication: Proactively identify, track, and resolve issues impacting dealer satisfaction; escalate roadblocks; effectively communicate project updates and progress to all stakeholders, including executive leadership.

Synergy & Cost-Efficiency Identification: Identify and document global synergies and cost-saving opportunities; develop proposals for streamlining systems.

You will join a new and diverse team that brings together multiple backgrounds and experiences. Success will require a mix of talent that brings diversity of thought and collectively understands our dealers like no one else!

You'll have... 

• Bachelor's degree or a combination of education and equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in global marketing, sales, aftersales operations, including dealer facing operations (i.e., field ops, market representation, dealer relations).
• 3+ years of experience having been a member of a team dealing with back-end dealer systems and processes: dealer tech stack, DMS, CRM, etc. 
• 3+ years of experience as a business owner of dealer-facing digital products (e.g., GXP, Vista, UDB, Salesforce, etc.,).
• 2+ years of experience having been the liaison between business teams and IT product teams/owners and purchasing teams.
• 2+ years of experience having managed/participated actively in governance forums that allow key stakeholders to track and monitor progress vs. objectives.

Even better, you may have...

• Strong people skills to establish solid relationships with the best dealer investors from all over the globe.
• Proven diversity champion, conscious of the asymmetries and realities of a global organization that must operate locally. Example: Able to understand differences between a dealer in the US and another one in China or in Europe.
• Able to partner with cross-functional Ford teams that both face our dealers on a day-to-day basis (Field Operations, IT, FCSD, Ford Direct, Ford Credit, Dealer Relations, Market Representation) and develop and deliver rewards programs and digital products to them (loyalty agencies, s