Transportation Systems Lead

The Transportation Systems Lead is the primary architect and manager of the FCSD PS&L (Ford Customer Service Department – Part Supply & Logistics) transportation technology ecosystem. The lead will be responsible for defining a multi-year strategy to modernize our transportation capabilities, selecting and implementing cutting-edge systems (such as Real time visibility tool , TMS etc), and ensuring these systems deliver measurable ROI and operational efficiency

• Strategic Planning & Vision
• Technology Roadmap: Develop and maintain a 3–5 year transportation systems strategy that aligns with corporate growth and sustainability goals.
• Market Intelligence: Stay abreast of emerging trends in the logistics industry , including autonomous logistics, AI-driven routing, and IoT-enabled visibility.
• Business Case Development: Conduct cost-benefit analyses and ROI projections for new system investments to secure executive buy-in.
• Implementation & Integration
• System Selection: Lead RFP (Request for Proposal) processes, vendor evaluations, and pilot programs for new software and hardware solutions in close engagement with IT , finance and Purchasing
• Project Leadership: Act as the Project Manager for large-scale implementations, ensuring milestones are met on time and within budget.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with IT, Procurement, and Legal to ensure seamless data integration with existing ERP/WMS systems and compliance with security standards.
• Change Management: Develop training programs and documentation to ensure high adoption rates
• Operational Management & Optimization
• System Ownership: Serve as the primary point of contact for system performance, troubleshooting, and vendor relationship management.
• Data Analytics: Leverage system data to create dashboards and KPIs (e.g., cost per mile, on-time delivery, fuel efficiency, carbon footprint).
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly audit system usage to identify feature gaps and implement process improvements or system upgrades.
  
  

Compliance & Safety: Ensure all systems support regulatory compliance

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering , Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field. An MBA or Master's in a technical field is preferred.
• Experience: 7–10 years of experience in transportation or logistics( preferred automotive), with at least 4 years specifically focused on implementing and managing transportation technology (TMS, YMS, Real time visibility etc).
• Proven Track Record: Experience leading at least one enterprise-wide system implementation from inception to go-live.
  
  

Technical Skills

• System Expertise: Knowledge of Tier 1 TMS (e.g., Oracle, SAP, Blue Yonder etc).
• Data Proficiency: Strong ability to work with data visualization tools (PowerBI, Tableau) and a solid understanding of EDI/API integrations.
• Project Management: Proficiency in PM software and methodologies (Agile, PMP certification etc).
  
  

Soft Skills

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture while maintaining an eye for technical detail.
• Influence: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at the executive level.
• Problem Solving: A proactive approach to identifying system bottlenecks and developing creative technical solutions.