The Strategist will leverage the Ford Production System (FPS) strategies to enable successful vehicle launches across assembly, powertrain, and battery plants. This role merges hands-on launch readiness processes early in the launch program timing and throughout with high-level Lean Manufacturing strategy and digital innovation to ensure early alignment, risk reduction, and scalable production excellence.  The position would require participating in virtual launch reviews to ensure critical enablers are in place to allow for manufacturing workstation readiness processes to be followed and inputted into the digital MWR Tool. 

The Strategist will have leadership skills and the ability to work with manufacturing operations, engineering, IT, and leadership, and drives early deployment of cross-functional teams to all manufacturing programs in vehicle, powertrain and battery. The Strategist leverages Lean principles and real-time visual management and digital tools to proactively identify and resolve issues, streamline station-level workflows, and reduce Non-Value Added Activities (NVA). In parallel, they partner with Digital Manufacturing Systems (DMS) and IT teams to develop predictive AI-based tools that support just-in-time decision-making and abnormality response at the station level.

You'll have... 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical field

Experience: 5+ years of progressive responsibilities and experience in operations leadership 5+ years of extensive experience in high-volume, complex, manufacturing environments Experience successfully leading launch activities in complex manufacturing systems Demonstrated track record of building trust and rapport with employees and creating positive and healthy cultures. Excellent leadership skills with demonstrated ability to resolve diverse problems Ability to travel approximately 50% of the time

Even better, you may have...

Aspiration for continued career growth and new challenges Strong problem solver who can lead effectively under pressure and crisis manage when necessary Experience: Operational and launch experience leading manufacturing processes across multiple areas (body, paint, final assembly, etc.) Experience working in a fast-paced unionized manufacturing environment

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 the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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. 

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6NonHTHD

This position is a leadership salary grade 6.

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 committed to a culturally diverse workforce. 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.

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What you will do …

Participate in the execution of Ford’s structured launch process:

Phase 1: Validate/post process sheets; assign and verify Design Assignments (DAs).

  Phase 2: Optimize and balance line workloads to meet world-class NVA targets.

  Phase 3: Ensure station readiness and manage late-stage product/process changes through formal change control.

  Phase 4: Assess time standards, layout, tooling, and product intent during pilot builds.

  Oversee cross-functional launch planning across departments including engineering, product development, quality, logistics, and manufacturing operations.

  Implement and evolve Lean Manufacturing strategies:

Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen Bursts, and Lean Maturity Model 

 

Digitalization, Business Control Center Management, Digital Zone Boards 

Facilitate Lean workshops in 5S, Model Area Development, Business Control Centers, and Lean Tools Training.

  Collaborate with DMS and Manufacturing IT to design predictive AI technologies for line-side digitization and issue response.

  Manage station-level visual metrics and ensure progress through structured loop iterations.

  Act as the central resource for best practices in launch integration, process validation, and digital tool deployment (e.g., SME sign-offs, OKTB scorecards).
 

Support long-term standardization of launch methodology across Ford’s global manufacturing sites.