Manager Employee Relations, Ford Energy

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Ford Energy is a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company dedicated to accelerating U.S. energy independence. Leveraging Ford’s century of manufacturing excellence and world-class battery energy storage systems (BESS) technology, Ford Energy designs, manufactures, and services grid-scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems (BESS). Ford Energy is uniquely positioned to capture the growing demand for reliable, US-built energy storage systems. We are not just building batteries; we are building the infrastructure for the next generation of the American grid.

Why Ford Energy?

At Ford Energy, you have the backing of an industrial manufacturing powerhouse with the agility of a dedicated energy startup offering industry leading technology. We offer a competitive compensation package including performance-based bonuses, Ford vehicle discounts, and the opportunity to shape the energy strategy of one of the world's most iconic brands.

The Manager, Employee Relations is accountable for the performance and results of the Employee Relations team. The role ensures the resolution of employee relations issues, such as conflicts, disputes, and disciplinary matters, with fairness and consistency in a timely manner. The role closely partners with HR leadership and collaborates with other functions/ departments. The role also supervises the maintenance of accurate documentation, implementation of effective communication strategies, and investigation of escalated complaints. The role has expertise in interpreting and administering labor agreements, analyzing trends, and providing guidance on policies and compliance, thereby contributing to a compliant and ethical work environment. The role has limited to full management authority for staffing, performance, discipline, pay decisions, team development, and other personnel actions.

What you'll do...

Business Partnership
• Partner with leadership to implement standardized recruitment processes with thorough background checks and cultural fit assessments, while designing comprehensive onboarding programs that include structured manager meetings and enhanced support during adjustment periods.
• Coach manufacturing leaders on effective communication practices, visibility, accessibility, and maintaining consistent leadership practices that demonstrate reliability and promote honest, timely dialogue with employees.
• Apply lean methodologies with progressive HR practices to drive operations to best-in-class levels while establishing equitable practices in wages, PTO, overtime, job postings, and management attention across all employees.
• Implement comprehensive recognition and reward systems, workforce planning strategies, and initiatives that promote employee engagement, diversity, and professional development in an inclusive, high-performance culture.
People Leadership
• Lead and inspire a diverse HR team by fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment that emphasizes continuous development and strategic alignment with organizational and HR-specific goals.
• Champion HR initiatives that drive performance excellence, employee engagement, and organizational culture, empowering team members to contribute effectively as strategic business partners in advancing the company's success.
Employee Relations
• Develop and maintain a robust communication framework that facilitates regular, transparent, and constructive dialogue between employees and management, fostering respectful relationships throughout the organization.
• Maintain regular floor presence to proactively identify and address employee concerns before they escalate, applying Gemba principles and rigorous PDCA methodology to uncover root causes and drive early intervention.
• Collaborate closely with Operations Leadership to ensure consistent, fair, and accurate application of company policies, addressing employee inquiries and concerns proactively.
• Oversee resolution of employee issues including conflicts, disputes, and disciplinary matters, ensuring fairness, consistency, and proportionate responses while maintaining follow-through on commitments.
• Co-create and manage innovative workforce policies and practices to ensure the evolving needs of the workforce and business are met, maximizing organizational effectiveness while minimizing disputes and inconsistencies.
• Oversee and conduct investigations, ensuring all disciplinary issues and employee complaints are handled in a timely and effective manner, escalating significant concerns to the HR Director and/or Regional HR Sr. Director as required.
• Respond to and resolve discrimination charges and complaints, working with legal counsel on lawsuit discovery and litigation preparation as needed.
• Prepare reports and analytics to monitor employee relations trends and identify areas for improvement or intervention.
• Foster a positive and inclusive employee experience through proactive initiatives based on feedback from employee opinion surveys, suggestions, and open-door policies.
• Partner with health and safety leads to address employee wellness concerns, implement wellness programs, and improve safety performance for a healthy and safe work environment.
Capabilities for Success
• Trusted Advisor: Builds credibility with operations leadership through sound judgment and strategic HR guidance.
• Collaborative Influencer: Builds trust and engagement across all levels of the organization.
• Proactive Problem-Solver: Identifies root causes early and resolves issues before they escalate.
• Culture Builder: Champions inclusion, engagement, and continuous development across a diverse workforce.

You'll have...

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related discipline.
• Experience: 8-10 years of progressive HR experience or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Must be able to work any shift, including nights, weekends, and overnights, especially during the launch phase
  

Even better, you'll have...

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related discipline.
• SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification.
• Juris Doctor
  

Leadership Attributes

• Resilient Leader: Remains calm and decisive in high-pressure, fast-paced manufacturing environments.
• Business Partner: Translates HR strategy into practical, actionable solutions for operations leadership.
• Adaptable: Leads effectively through the ambiguity of a startup manufacturing environment.
  

Location & Travel
U.S. based; domestic travel as required (5%)

Company
As Ford establishes a wholly owned subsidiary focused on Battery Energy Storage Systems, this role will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to the subsidiary within one year.
Why Ford Energy?
At Ford Energy, you have the backing of an industrial manufacturing powerhouse with the agility of a dedicated energy startup offering industry-leading technology. We offer a competitive compensation package including performance-based bonuses, Ford vehicle discounts, and the opportunity to shape the energy strategy of one of the world's most iconic brands.

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, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, 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.

This position is leadership level 6 and ranges from $115,500-$218,100.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here:

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. 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.

#LI-Onsite

Company: As Ford establishes a wholly owned subsidiary focused on Battery Energy Storage Systems, this role will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to the subsidiary within one year.

#LI-OG1 #FordEnergy