The Indiana Battery Pack Plant Manager will be responsible for a holistic business operation, overseeing the effective launch of the facility and leading the Plant’s Executive Leadership Team. You will be a highly visible leader in the local community and a primary driver of Ford’s manufacturing success, delivering high-quality battery components that power the future of movement.
Lead Excellence: Safety, Quality, and the Ford Production System
- Safety First: Create a culture of proactive safety, ensuring our most valuable asset—our team members—get home safely every day.
- Standardized Excellence: Lead the implementation of the Ford Production System (FPS). You will "Raise the Bar" by embedding lean principles and structured problem-solving (PDCA) at all levels of the organization.
- Drive Transformation: Serve as a positive change agent, leading transformation and change management efforts to advance the plant’s competitiveness in an ever-changing world.
- Hold the Line: Hold yourself and others accountable for excellence in adherence to operational and behavioral expectations.
Drive Focus: Disciplined Execution & Shop Floor Metrics
- Operational Stability: Ensure the plant meets rigorous production targets, including Jobs Per Hour (JPH), Rolled-Throughput-Yield (RTY), and strict quality standards.
- Data-Driven Results: Leverage data and insights to drive lean improvements. Use "Action-Impactful KPIs" to monitor progress and take proactive action when results are off-track.
- Financial Stewardship: Take full accountability for the plant's Profit & Loss (P&L). Lead cost-reduction initiatives and manage plant resources responsibly to drive profitability.
- Crisis Management: Act as a strong problem-solver who can lead effectively under pressure and manage crises when necessary to keep the team moving.
Build the Best Team: Labor Relations & Servant Leadership
- Labor Partnership: Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with Organized Labor Leadership, Employee Resource Groups, and suppliers. You will be expected to navigate complex labor environments with transparency and mutual respect.
- Gemba Leadership: Consistently demonstrate empathy by "going to Gemba." Engage regularly with all members of the team from Area Managers to our Hourly Associates on the plant floor to listen, problem-solve, and lead by example.
- Leaders as Teachers: Prioritize the ongoing development and evaluation of employee performance. You will "Plan, Attract, and Develop" the next generation of manufacturing leaders, creating a high-performing team that delivers results.
- Inclusive Culture: Leverage your staff to build an inclusive culture that allows for diverse viewpoints, evidenced by high employee engagement scores and impactful check-ins.
THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS WE SEEK
- Experience: 10+ years of progressive operations leadership in a high-volume, high-precision, complex manufacturing environment (overseeing 800+ employees).
- Technical Expertise: Extensive experience in machining and assembly within a tight-tolerance environment.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
- Lean Mastery: Lean / Six Sigma certification or demonstrated equivalent experience applying lean manufacturing principles and standardized work.
- Leadership: Proven experience interfacing with both hourly and salaried employees within a union manufacturing environment.
- Financials: Deep understanding of managing a P&L and strong financial acumen.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
- Master’s degree in Engineering or a technical field.
- Direct experience in battery or technical manufacturing.
- Experience partnering with a union during a negotiation or contract renewal.
- Deep manufacturing engineering technical capabilities.