Manager, Licensed Product Development at Ford Global Career Site

Dearborn, Michigan, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

11 Feb, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

13 Nov, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Product Approval, Compliance Management, Process Optimization, Digital Tool Management, Stakeholder Collaboration, External Partner Management, Brand Integrity, Risk Mitigation, Data Analysis, Trend Analysis, Project Management, Communication, Leadership, Time Management, Analytical Thinking, Continuous Improvement

Industry

Motor Vehicle Manufacturing

Description

Product Approval & Compliance Management: Oversee the comprehensive review and approval process for all global licensed product submissions, ensuring strict adherence to Ford's brand guidelines, trademark usage, design execution, and quality standards across diverse categories (e.g., die-cast, apparel, interactive & gaming, experiential). Process Optimization & Digital Tool Management: Drive the strategic optimization of product development workflows, systems, and tools to enhance efficiency, maintain low turnaround times, and effectively manage the high volume of annual submissions, thereby scaling our operations for future growth. This includes managing relationships with software vendors (e.g., BrandComply), overseeing partner access to collaboration tools, and improving asset library organization and licensee compliance. Internal Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate extensively with internal Ford teams, including Enthusiast Brands, Ford Racing, Truck, Global Brand, Legal, and Design, to ensure seamless integration of brand and design elements into licensed products. Support proactive management of key stakeholder relationships. External Partner Management: Lead the coordination of business reviews with external licensee partners to ensure impactful brand representation and product quality. Assess new potential partners for strategic alignment, cultivate strong working relationships, and manage regular review processes with agencies and Product Development Specialists, including preparing briefs for trade conferences and conventions. Brand Integrity & Risk Mitigation: Develop and implement proactive strategies to address potential brand integrity risks, ensuring all licensed products consistently meet Ford's high standards for consumer appeal, safety, and brand reputation. Category Strategy & Guidelines: Define, develop, and maintain strategic category guidelines, product roadmaps, and a comprehensive list of Ford IP to guide licensees in product innovation and execution for high-impact categories such as gaming and outdoor. Data & Trend Analysis: Conduct thorough review and monitoring of category trends, competitive landscapes, and directional business performance of key licensees to inform product/category strategy, identify growth opportunities, and ensure market relevance. Future Planning & Content Support: Maintain an easily accessible visual calendar of key product drops across "Build, Thrill, Adventure" brand pillars (e.g., 6 quarters rolling). Support content development for internal forums when socializing licensed product plans to brand, marketing, and communications teams. Asset Development Coordination: Coordinate and ensure the timely delivery of core updates to style guides and asset packs to support product development initiatives, working with agencies, product specialists, and internal partners for key brand assets. Established and active employee resource groups Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field. Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in brand licensing, product development, or category management within the consumer goods industry. Proven ability to present effectively to executive management, articulate business needs proactively, and engage with partner leadership teams. Robust knowledge of Ford IP, including specific vehicles and their technical details (both current and historical), to ensure accurate representation in niche categories or expressions where technical details are critically important. Extensive experience within consumer goods, with a strong understanding of product development management and quality control. Proven ability to manage high volumes of product submissions and approvals while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and adherence to brand standards. Strong working knowledge of intellectual property rights, trademark usage, and design aesthetics in a commercial licensing context. Demonstrated history of strong project management skills and the ability to deliver against tight timelines in a fast-paced environment. Global experience in product development or licensing is strongly preferred. Experience working effectively with external partners, including both agencies and licensee networks. People Leadership & Mentorship - Strong leadership, team management, and coaching abilities, with a focus on fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment. Quality & Brand Integrity Focus - Meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to product quality, ensuring strict adherence to Ford's brand standards and safeguarding brand integrity. Communication & Stakeholder Management - Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, adept at managing complex relationships and influencing diverse internal and external stakeholders. Time Management & Prioritization - Ability to manage multiple priorities, organize complex tasks, and effectively allocate time to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Decisive & Analytical Thinking - Decisive and analytical, with the ability to make sound judgments under pressure, interpret data to inform decisions, and effectively manage high-volume workloads. Risk Management - Proactive ability to assess and navigate gray areas of intellectual property usage, balancing the need for impactful product innovation with robust trademark and IP protection. Continuous Improvement Mindset - A dedication to ongoing learning and process enhancement, constantly seeking opportunities to refine strategies, tools, and workflows for optimal efficiency and effectiveness. Not satisfied with we've always done it this way so always should. Licensee Partner Management - Proven capability in managing and nurturing relationships with external licensee partners, driving performance, ensuring compliance, and fostering mutually beneficial collaborations. Storytelling & Executive Presentation - Strong storytelling and presentation techniques, with the ability to effectively communicate complex strategies and outcomes to executive-level management within Ford and interface/present confidently with leaders in other brands, adept at articulating value and building consensus across diverse stakeholders. For more information on salary and benefits, click here: New Hire Benefits Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

Responsibilities

Oversee the review and approval process for global licensed product submissions, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and quality standards. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to manage product development workflows and maintain brand integrity.