Lean Strategist

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.

As part of our Manufacturing team, you’ll help build the world-class, state-of-the-art smart vehicles we're known for. In our plants around the world, we’re constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. You'll get the satisfaction of making great products people use and love.

In this role…

As a Lean Strategist, you will be a key architect of Ford’s continuous improvement culture. You will be responsible for designing and implementing strategic frameworks that drive efficiency, quality, and safety across our manufacturing footprint. This role goes beyond simple tactical application; you will be expected to mentor cross-functional teams, integrate lean principles into new engineering product launches, and evolve the Ford Production System (FPS) to meet the challenges of the future.

This role will travel 50% of the time.

What You’ll Do…

• Ford Production System (FPS) Stewardship: Serve as the subject matter expert on FPS, ensuring all lean engineering activities align with corporate standards while driving the evolution of the system to improve throughput and reduce waste.
• Model Area Development: Lead the creation and sustainment of "Model Areas" to serve as the gold standard for operational excellence, providing a blueprint for scaling improvements across Ford manufacturing plants
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• Value Stream Mapping (VSM): Facilitate end-to-end VSM sessions across Ford manufacturing plants to identify "Current State" bottlenecks across engineering and design "Future State" maps that optimize material and information flow.
• Kaizen Leadership:
  Organize and lead high-impact Kaizen events at Ford manufacturing plants
  , empowering operators and staff to generate and implement ideas (aiming for the high levels of operator engagement seen in our Lean Academies).
• Launch Readiness: Partner with GME and PTME to ensure "Lean from the Start." Integrate lean manufacturing principles into the early stages of vehicle engineering programs to ensure seamless, waste-free launches.
• 5S & Visual Management: Standardize and audit 5S practices to ensure a safe, organized, and efficient work environment where abnormalities are immediately visible.
• Cross-Functional Mentorship: Coach participants from diverse backgrounds (Finance, HR, Engineering, and Operations) on lean tools, including Yamazumi charts, Spaghetti diagrams, and 5-Why root cause analysis.

You’ll Have…

• Education: Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Engineering - Manufacturing Engineering, BSEE, BSME, BSCE, BSCE, BSIE, Math, Psychics.
• Experience: 4 or more years of progressive experience in a manufacturing environment, with a proven track record of leading large-scale lean transformations across engineering.
• Technical Expertise: Deep mastery of Lean tools, specifically:
  • Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and Spaghetti Diagramming.
  • Yamazumi (Line Balancing) and Standardized Work.
  • 5S and Visual Factory Management.
  • A3 Problem Solving and Drill-down Trees.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to influence at all levels, from shop-floor operators to executive leadership.
• Travel: up to 50% to other Ford locations.

Even Better You’ll Have…

• Tenure in the automotive manufacturing space
• Experience delivering training across plant leadership
• Experience leading high-impact continuous improvement initiatives

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 change maker, 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…