Director of Manufacturing Plant Management

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director of Manufacturing (DOM) for Battery Pack Operations translates Ford's enterprise electrification strategy into a winning operating plan for the battery pack network, reporting to the Executive Director of Manufacturing for Powertrain Operations and Passion Products. This leader owns the network-level strategy and execution across Blue Oval Battery Park Michigan — America's first automaker-backed LFP battery facility — and the Indiana Battery Pack facility, with close coordination into Rawsonville Components Plant on shared component supply.

You're not inheriting a mature operation — you're standing up new sites and building the organization and culture from the ground up, while connecting Ford's electrification vision to the tangible work of scaling from launch to steady-state, high-volume production. You'll lead performance in the order that matters most:
Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost (SQDC).

In this role, you’ll inspire and execute on a network-wide strategy and build a high-performing organization around Ford’s electrification vision. If you have the manufacturing experience and servant leadership philosophies to drive high performance, we encourage you to apply.

This is one of the most impactful operating roles in Ford's manufacturing network — a chance to lead at scale, shape a high‑performing organization, and leave a lasting mark on how Ford builds electrification capabilities. We're looking for a leader who combines deep technical expertise with a high-performance mindset, someone who executes with precision against the network's strategic plan while inspiring their team to reach for more every single day.

You'll model the Ford Operating System Behaviors and drive performance in the order that matters most:
Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost (SQDC).

• Safety Culture:
  Build and sustain a "Safety First" culture across the network — accountable for the physical and psychological wellbeing of thousands of team members. With a high attention to the unique hazards of battery chemistry, cleanroom environments, and high‑voltage systems.

• Incident Reduction:
  Drive proactive risk assessment and human‑factors engineering to continually reduce Total Recordable Incident Rate across a rapidly scaling workforce.

• Set the Quality Bar:
  Design quality strategy and predictive analytics unique to battery cell/pack assembly (contamination control, electrochemistry process integrity, cleanroom protocols), setting the standard the network is built to hit.

• Launch Ownership:
  Own the strategy and execution for new battery pack manufacturing lines — from equipment commissioning and systems launch through to steady-state volume production.

• Throughput & Efficiency:
  Apply FPS principles to a novel manufacturing process, setting a new benchmark for cleanroom, high-tech assembly efficiency.

• Financial Strategy:
  Set and own the combined financial strategy and operating budgets for battery pack manufacturing.

• Cost Optimization:
  Drive year-over-year "Total Cost per Unit" (CPU) reductions, critical to Ford's goal of delivering more affordable electric vehicles.

• Organization Design:
  Stand up the manufacturing organizational structure, processes, and leadership team for a greenfield operation.

• Workforce Engagement:
  Build a "One Team" mentality and a first-of-its-kind organizational culture from the ground up, creating an environment where every team member feels heard, valued, and directly connected to leadership.

• Stable, Agile Workforce:
  Build positive employee relations strategies that keep a newly hired, rapidly growing workforce motivated, trained, and adaptable through a multi-year ramp.

• Talent Pipeline:
  Partner with Plant Managers to build strong local talent pipelines as these sites scale from launch to full volume.

• Plant Manager Development:
  Directly lead and develop Plant Managers across BOBM and Indiana Battery Pack, acting as a coach and "leader of leaders."

• Cross-Site Coordination (Dotted Line):
  Maintain a strong dotted-line partnership with Rawsonville Components Plant…