FORD has appointed sourcing executive Liz Door from appliance manufacturer Whirlpool, who becomes the car-maker’s chief supply chain officer as it looks to reset supplier relations amid quality problems and cost concerns.

The appointment comes nine months after Ford warned investors of surging parts costs and the need to focus on quality. Ford then put CFO John Lawler in charge of supply chain efforts on an interim basis while it searched for someone to take on the newly created role.

Ms Door will report to Mr Lawler, who has been handling the supply chain officer duties since last September.

Welcoming Ms Door to the role, Mr Lawler said: “Liz brings deep, relevant domain experience, including leveraging the Internet of Things to create great value for customers – from both outside and inside the global auto industry.

“That’s an ideal combination for leading a team that’s determined to restore supply chain management as a competitive advantage for Ford.”

Ms Door has served as Whirlpool’s executive vice president of global strategic sourcing since 2017. Before that, she led North America procurement at Whirlpool for more than six years.

She started her career as a resident quality engineer with Prince Corporation, working at a Chrysler assembly plant in St Louis.

Of her appointment, Ms Door said: “Ford and our suppliers will win together by delivering fresh, high-quality products for our customers.

“We’re going to expand the use of advanced quality planning throughout the supply portfolio.”

Ms Door’s appointment is part of a minor executive team shakeup at Ford. Two executives are retiring: Kiersten Robinson, general manager of family vehicles and president of Mexico and Canada for Ford Blue, on July 1; and Jonathan Jennings, vice president of supply chain, as of August 1.

Additionally, Dave Bozeman, head of Ford Blue’s enthusiast vehicles and the Ford Customer Service Division, is leaving the company to become CEO of global transportation and logistics company C.H. Robinson. He has been with Ford since September, when he was hired from Amazon.

Tim Slatter, formerly vehicle line director for buses and vans at Ford of Europe, has moved positions to become head of vehicle programs.

Ms Door’s appointment follows a study by US consultancy Plante Moran showing that Ford’s supplier relations score dropped the most among rival car-makers. The fall was partly attributed to confusion over Ford’s electrification strategy, Plante Moran said.

Ford also has led the industry in recalls each of the past two years and struggled with quality issues on some of its most popular nameplates, including the Bronco and F-150 Lightning.

Publicly, Ford said it has an $A10 billion cost disadvantage against its rivals and is looking to improve efficiencies in how it sources, designs and builds vehicles.

Mr Lawler has said Ford faces $A7 billion in higher costs this year and will be “very aggressive” in reducing expenses in its manufacturing, supply chain and distribution operations.

By Neil Dowling