As the Lead, you'll be heading up a technical team that goes directly onsite to plants and supplier locations. Your main mission will be to thoroughly evaluate these environments – looking at existing material flow, defining data architecture for RFID, enabling suppliers with necessary technology, and working closely with the people who know the supply chain and facilities best. Based on your findings, you'll be responsible for designing and overseeing the implementation of RFID GTL solutions, assessing their practical and technical feasibility for specific sites, and carefully documenting all your observations and plans. Essentially, you're the expert who figures out the technical 'how' and 'if' for bringing RFID-driven automation into our material tracking, laying the groundwork for truly intelligent inventory and streamlined receiving processes! It requires someone with solid technical skills, exceptional project leadership, and a deep understanding of RFID technology and supply chain logistics. We are looking for a skilled and experienced Technical Solutions Lead to join our team as the Global Transportation Label/RFID Lead. In this crucial role, you will be at the forefront of defining and deploying our RFID-enabled Global Transportation Label (GTL) standard and automating receiving processes. You'll lead a dedicated team of technical specialists (which may include RFID Engineers, IT Integration Specialists, Logistics Process Analysts) onsite, diving deep into technical requirements, analyzing current material flow processes, and collaborating closely with plant personnel and suppliers. Your expertise will be key in designing conceptual and detailed RFID GTL solutions, assessing their feasibility, and documenting all findings to pave the way for successful automation deployments and enhanced inventory visibility. + Lead & Manage Technical Implementation Team: + Lead and manage the onsite and remote technical implementation team focused on RFID GTL rollout and autonomous receiving. + Coordinate team activities, assign tasks, and ensure the quality and efficiency of the technical design, deployment, and testing processes. + Provide technical guidance and support to team members during evaluations, design, and implementation phases. + Ensure team safety and adherence to facility and supplier protocols while onsite. + RFID Data Architecture & GTL Standardization: + Direct the comprehensive definition of data architecture for unique inbound handling unit identifiers for RFID, outlining its use by RFID readers, middleware, CMMS, and SAP EWM. + Define the data to be encoded into the RFID inlay memory, including data sources and memory data storage standards. + Determine the standard RFID inlay and label media for handling units, balancing read performance and cost-effectiveness, including solutions for metal handling units. + Define the process for Spectrum Loftware to add RFID data to GTL RFID templates and manage deployment to specific suppliers. + Supplier RFID Enablement & Printer Rollout: + Lead the strategy and execution for providing RFID-enabled label printers to our global supply base. + Determine standard RFID label printers and configurations, ensuring compatibility with business objectives and supplier environments. + Define procurement, kitting, and rollout strategies for efficient supplier adoption. + Establish single-source models for suppliers to order approved RFID inlay/label media and printer supplies. + Establish tools to monitor Ford-supplied printer health, push software updates, and monitor utilization. + Automated Receiving Solution Design & Implementation: + Lead the technical design and implementation of automated RFID receiving solutions aimed at eliminating manual scans in SAP EWM. + Determine optimal RFID capture solutions (e.g., gates, handhelds, fixed readers) based on environmental factors of specific unloading areas. + Define standard RFID device configurations and data retrieval methods from readers to middleware and adjacent systems (Loftware Spectrum, CMMS, SAP EWM). + Oversee the design of RFID infrastructure including device installation locations, networking requirements, and power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches at each Ford location. + Determine methods and responsibilities for configuring, testing, and tuning RFID devices during implementation, go-live, and ongoing support. + System Integration & Business Rules: + Define business rules for RFID label sensing events (e.g., unloading from carrier, placement on dock) to mimic and enhance current EWM processes. + Define how RFID reads are communicated to RFID middleware and how business rules are applied to capture events. + Orchestrate and define how the RFID middleware communicates a "receiving" event to SAP EWM for transaction processing and ASN updates. + Contribute to defining the new end-user experience for receiving operations, evaluating equipment (e.g., ruggedized tablets, mobile computers) that complements or replaces current RF handheld applications. + Determine requirements for manual RFID/barcode capture devices that communicate with SAP EWM. + Evaluate solutions for reprinting unreadable, damaged, or missing RFID labels, considering existing and mobile printer options. + Support the development of communication plans and training programs for plant users, supervisors, and leadership. + Oversee the creation of detailed technical design documents for RFID GTLs, data architectures, supplier enablement, and autonomous receiving solutions. + Document proposed RFID solutions, including data flow diagrams, system integrations, and technical specifications. + Prepare and present feasibility reports, outlining recommended RFID hardware/software solutions and highlighting potential challenges or risks. + Maintain accurate records of all data collected and analysis performed during the evaluation and design phases. + Educational Foundation: Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering, or a related technical discipline). A strong technical foundation is essential. + Industry Experience: Proven experience working within manufacturing, production, or logistics/warehousing facilities, with a strong understanding of material handling processes and supply chain operations. + Automation & AIDC Expertise: Direct and significant experience with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is a major requirement. This includes: + Deep understanding of RFID principles (UHF Gen2), hardware (readers, antennas, inlays, printers), and software (middleware). + Experience with RFID data encoding and global label standards (e.g., GTL). + Experience in evaluating, designing, or deploying RFID solutions in industrial environments. + System Integration Knowledge: Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), particularly SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, and SAP or CMMS. Experience with Loftware Spectrum is highly beneficial. + Technical Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading technical teams or complex technical initiatives. Ability to coordinate tasks, manage team members, provide technical guidance, and ensure safety and efficiency during onsite deployments. + Site Evaluation & Implementation: Experience conducting technical site surveys or evaluations for RFID deployment. Ability to assess physical infrastructure (RF environment, network, power) and understand its impact on RFID performance. + Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical skills, particularly in defining data architectures, analyzing material flow processes, identifying integration points, and troubleshooting complex technical issues related to RFID systems. Ability to collect and quantify data related to material movement and RFID read rates. + Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders within a plant environment (e.g., Industrial Engineers, Manufacturing Planning & Logistics, Plant IT, operators, supervisors) and with external suppliers/vendors. Experience conducting interviews or workshops to gather requirements and insights. + Solution Design & Feasibility Analysis Skills: Ability to translate business requirements and technical findings into conceptual and detailed RFID solutions. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess the technical and operational feasibility of proposed solutions. Ability to compare different RFID hardware and software platforms and determine the best fit based on requirements and facility constraints. + Documentation & Reporting Skills: Experience creating detailed technical reports, summarizing findings, and documenting proposed solutions (including diagrams, data flow maps, and technical specifications). Ability to present findings and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical audiences. + Travel: Position has a requirement for onsite evaluations at manufacturing facilities and supplier locations, the ability and willingness to travel frequently would be a necessary qualification. + Software & Tools: Proficiency with Microsoft 365 Suite, including MS Project. Familiarity with Spectrum Loftware, SAP EWM, CMMS, and Ariba (for procurement) is highly advantageous. + Strong Technical Foundation: A deep, hands-on understanding of RFID technology and its practical application in complex supply chain environments. + Experience in Manufacturing/Industrial Environments: Proven experience navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of implementing technology in real-world plant and warehouse settings. + Leadership Experience: Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate technical teams, coordinate diverse activities, and ensure project success. + Analytical Skills: Exceptional ability to dissect complex problems, analyze data, and devise effective technical solutions. + Communication and Collaboration Skills: A natural collaborator who can build rapport and effectively communicate with technical experts, operational staff, and senior leadership. Deep Company Knowledge (Internal Candidates): Familiarity with Ford's internal processes, existing systems (WMS, MES, ERP), and established relationships with key personnel across different departments (Plant IT, MP&L, Engineering) would be a significant asset. This existing rapport can smooth collaboration and accelerate project timelines. **Requisition ID** : 47976