Lean Strategist

The Global FPS Lean Academy Manager & Value Stream Mapping Specialist leads the lean execution and training across manufacturing of all lean tools and lean tool application. The Manager will lead Lean Academy Weeklong Classes including Kaizens and Kaizen report out.

The Manager will be responsible for conduction Value Stream Mapping Workshops of train-the-trainer to develop enterprise wide value stream mapping experts who can apply the skills in their own plants or departments. The Strategist will be responsible for ensuring actions are taken and closed post Value Stream Mapping workshops and attend bi-weekly meetings to follow-up to ensure participants understand the actions that need to be taken to attack the waste identified.

The Strategist will leverage the Ford Production System (FPS) strategies to enable successful implementation of Lean Academy development and Execution. Conduct the Kaizen workshop portion of the training and continue follow-up with maintaining momentum to ensure actions are closed post workshop.

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.

What you’ll do...

• 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.

• Drives first-time quality and reduces launch risk by ensuring early process validation and physical readiness.
• Supports just-in-time decision-making with predictive data tools and Lean-aligned plant coaching.
• Improves time-to-market and acceleration curve by eliminating bottlenecks and enforcing best practices in workstation readiness.
• Enables scalable, standardized and repeatable success across all programs and production adjustments through a unified Launch/FPS framework

• Team Guidance and Direction:
  Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of Lean Strategists, ensuring team goals and objectives align with the overall strategy of the organization.
• Performance Management & Development:
  Manage individual and team performance through regular check-ins, coaching, and formal performance reviews. Provide timely and constructive feedback to team members, recognizing achievements and addressing areas for improvement.
• Team Environment & Culture:
  Cultivate a positive, collaborative, and inclusive team environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.
• Resource Management:
  Effectively…