From the Detroit Free Ford Press
Katherine Worthen, executive director of the Ford Blue supply chain, has left the company after 16 months in the role, the Detroit Free Press has learned.
She left this week to accept another job, Ford spokesman T.R. Reid confirmed Friday. "People leave for different reasons. She had another opportunity, and we wish her the best."
Worthen's area of focus, Ford Blue, is the unit that oversees the gasoline-powered vehicle operation, including the profitable Super Duty pickup truck. Sales of these popular vehicles help fund the company's investments in batteries and other electrification technology.
Supply chain expertise is essential during these times when all companies, from automakers to computer manufacturers, are dogfighting for valuable materials.
Worthen, who joined Ford from GE Renewable energy, previously worked at General Motors for 18 years in global purchasing and supply chain. She is the second recently hired supply chain executive to leave Ford in 2023. There is no immediate replacement at this time, Reid told the Free Press.
Worthen's counterpart at Ford e, ex-Tesla executive Annie Liu, also began at Ford in July 2022 during a management shakeup to focus on supply chain needs for the electric vehicle unit that includes the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. Liu left in February, citing different plans influenced by the needs of her family, Ford told the Free Press at the time.
Liz Door, hired in June, remains the chief supply chain officer at Ford. She had spent the last six of 12 years at Whirlpool Corp. based in Benton Harbor, leading global strategic sourcing. Prior to Whirlpool, Door worked 15 years at General Motors in purchasing and supply chain roles.