Category Manager at Ford Motor Company (2024)

Job DescriptionWe 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?

Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

In this position…Champion of FCSD’s Product Category Cross-Functional Strategy through the product Lifecycle by defining the customer, identifying needs, focusing on opportunities, and executing the solutions to the market to ensure product availability for Dealer Service Lane, Quick Lane, Fleet, Special Markets & Wholesale customers. Processes include studying, analyzing, and developing product strategies aimed at improving profit & revenue growth. Key Levers used to create the strategies include Pricing, National Offers, New Product Introductions, Marketing Supplier Subvention, Channel Focus, Training, Brand Selection & SKU Category Optimization.

ResponsibilitiesWhat you'll do…Manage & Own Revenue, Price & Profit:

  • Achieve annual revenue objectives including volume & pricing
  • Present monthly sales results with key results based on market, trends, channels, & specific sku’s
  • Meet or exceed profit objectives for assigned product(s)
  • Design & Execute additional profit improvement actions annually
  • Create, set & manage parts pricing strategies using and leveraging competitive data inputs
  • Optimize product pricing strategies to reduce warranty costs and customer cost of ownership
  • Manage weekly new parts pricing of assigned parts in product hierarchy

Product Marketing:

  • Develop product marketing materials including Video’s, Launch Kits, Why Buy’s & Features
  • Work with Product Marketing Manager to develop POP, POS, hero cards and sell sheets
  • Working in conjunction with the Aftersales team to increase sales & support distribution
  • Apply Supplier Subvention to Market through Coordination with Suppliers, Purchasing, Finance & Marketing
  • Develop and Maintain product category specific content on FMCDealer and MCDistributor sites

Product:

  • Synthesize data with Market Analyzer Tool to develop Actionable Plans to Improve Category Performance
  • Develop, present, and implement Annual Category Plans for Assigned Primary Categories
  • Create Category Proposal Letters directing Action Cross Functionally to Meet ACP Goals
  • Select both Primary & Secondary Categories Annually to Concentrate on Opportunities
  • Define the Customer & where to Leverage Ford’s Advantages as an OE in the Market Place
  • Develop Competitive Benchmark for Product, Price, Place, & Channel
  • Measure Performance Monthly for Primary Categories (Revenue, Profit, Threats, & Opportunities)

Operations:

  • Manage Supplier SOWs, Purchase order creation, invoice payment, and budget
  • Collaborate with Global Revenue Management on MLI product alignment management
  • Manage the completion of Non- Policy Obsolescence requests
  • Develop Competitive Benchmark for Product, Price, Place, Process
  • Measure Performance Monthly for all Categories (Revenue, Profit, Threats, & Opportunities)
  • Monitor ICE & EV customer service patterns (using RO & industry data)
  • Management & Development of Assigned Category Analyst
  • Embrace a work environment that supports Ford Culture, Civility, and our Ford OS Behaviors (Excellence, Focus and Collaboration). Hold each other accountable on these behaviors.
  • Partner with Purchasing to develop and maintain long-term partnership with suppliers to gather business intelligence and find unique value propositions

QualificationsYou'll have... Minimum B.S. in Product or Marketing, or a related field of study 7 - 10+ Years of Experience with the Following:

  • Strong organizational skills to manage multiple complex projects and deliver superior results on a timely basis
  • Strong written & verbal skills to prepare, present, & communicate project status and results regularly
  • Strong decision-making skills
  • Strong computer skills, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SharePoint
  • Understanding of dealership parts & service operations
  • Strong product and branding knowledge preferred
  • Prior program management experience is preferred

Supervisory and Supplier Management experience Ability to interact with all levels of Management Ability to motivate a widely diverse team of Ford and Agency personnel utilizing strong relationship skills Ability to design initiatives for effective implementation in retail environment Ability to identify new opportunities and evaluate based on dealer input and business case data Ability to work independently and collaboratively Estimated Travel:
Even better, if you have …Preferred

  • Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills to deliver major projects and develop team Ford OS behaviors
  • Dealers contact field experience with strong dealership acumen is preferred
  • General Office/Field Operations experience - Marketing desired

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

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

For a detailed look at our benefits, click here:

https://fordcareers.co/GSRnon-HTHD

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

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Category Manager at Ford Motor Company (2024)

FAQs

What does a zone manager do at Ford? ›

We are the eyes, ears and voices of Ford, meeting customer demand by delivering the right products to the right dealers at the right time. As a Zone Manager, you will join a team that provides automotive retailers: New vehicle wholesale and parts sales. Sales metrics and forecasting skills.

What category of business is Ford Motor Company? ›

Automotive

What does a senior category manager do? ›

As a Senior Category Manager, you will manage and develop the category in all retail channels based on Company strategic goals and deep understanding of Shopper behavior and market trends helping to achieve Company sales, distribution and share targets.

Where does Ford Motor Company rank? ›

The Ford Motor Company was the third-largest manufacturer in the United States based on market shares, holding 13 percent of the total U.S. sales in 2023, behind its main competitors General Motors and Toyota Motor.

What are Ford leadership levels? ›

Ford has an unusual hierarchal system, with the CIO at the top, we then have LL2, LL3, LL4, LL5 and LL6 which are management roles in descending order, followed by GSR8, GSR7 etc., with LL standing for leadership level and GSR standing for general salaried role. GSR8 being the top rank amongst general salaried roles.

What is the hierarchy of the Ford Motor Company? ›

Ford's organizational structure is vertical for the top three offices: Chairman, President, and Executive Vice President. Functional heads wield equal authority and are directly under the supervision of the executive vice president.

What is the organizational structure of Ford Motor Company? ›

Ford employs a matrix structure to enhance collaboration and cross-functional decision-making. Employees report to both functional managers, based on expertise, and project managers, based on projects. This dual reporting system promotes coordination, resource sharing, and teamwork.

Who controls Ford Motor Company? ›

William “Bill” Clay Ford Jr. is the great grandson of Henry Ford himself, and currently holds the position of Executive Chairman at Ford Motor Co.

Is category manager a good position? ›

Is a Category Manager a Good Career Path? Category Management is a critical and rewarding career path within the retail and consumer goods sectors. It offers professionals the chance to directly influence sales and profitability through strategic decision-making and effective management of product assortments.

What comes after category manager? ›

Here is a list of jobs a former a Category Manager could consider moving to: Key Account Manager. Merchandise Director. Purchasing Manager.

What is the average age of a category manager? ›

Category Manager age breakdown
Category Manager YearsPercentages
40+ years44%
30-40 years39%
20-30 years17%

Is Ford or GM a better company? ›

As you can clearly see from the Quality Grade breakdown above, General Motors Co has a better overall quality grade than Ford Motor Co. For investors who are looking for companies with higher quality than others in the same industry, General Motors Co could be a good stock to add to their portfolios.

Who is Ford's biggest competitor? ›

General Motors: An Overview. Ford Motor Company (F) and Chevrolet, which is owned by General Motors Company (GM), are the two largest automobile brands in the United States. 1 Both Ford and GM are leaders and fierce competitors in the global automobile industry.

Is Ford Motor a good company? ›

Ford Motor Company has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 14,642 reviews left anonymously by employees. 78% of employees would recommend working at Ford Motor Company to a friend and 63% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has decreased by 1% over the last 12 months.

What is the function of zonal manager? ›

A crucial managerial position called a "Zonal Business Manager" is in charge of managing and directing business activities within a certain geographic zone or region. They are responsible for overseeing a group of sales agents and making sure that revenue and sales targets are met.

What is the role of a zone supervisor? ›

Establishing and maintaining safe work zones using the proper equipment. Collaborating with team members to ensure the safety of all. Managing traffic flow effectively with stop/slow paddles.

What does a zone lead do? ›

Job Summary: The Zone Lead (ZL) supports merchandising in designated zones and maintains an active selling culture by ensuring that all visual aspects are set and upheld to documented company standards designed to drive sales.

What is the role of a transit manager? ›

Directing activities related to planning, procuring, dispatching, routing, and tracking of transportation vehicles, aircraft, or railroad cars. Planning, organizing, and managing subordinate staff members to ensure work is completed and consistent with the company's standards.

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