Lean Strategist

Job ID: 70441
Location: Dearborn, Michigan
Category: Manufacturing

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At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.

Job Type: Full time
Work Type: Hybrid

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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.

Strategic Impact:

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

People Leader:

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 manage team workload and allocate resources to ensure timely and successful project completion. Ensure the team has the necessary tools, resources, and information to perform their jobs effectively.

You'll have...

Education: Associate’s degree or equivalent experience in an engineering or technical field
Experience:
- 4+ years of progressive responsibilities and experience in operations leadership
- 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
- Strong problem solver who can lead effectively under pressure and crisis manage when necessary
- Aspiration for continued career growth and new challenges

Even better, you may have...

Education: Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical field
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 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 programs, subsidized back-up child care 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 a detailed look at our benefits, click here:

https://fordcareers.co/LL5NonHTHD

This position is leadership level 6 and ranges from $112,680-$212,760.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6

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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Change the world with your ideas.

Speak up. We’re listening. At Ford, we believe the right ideas, and the people behind them, can move an entire industry. Here, you'll work with teams who value your voice, push bold ideas forward, and leave a mark that lasts.

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Support designed to go the distance.

From day one, Ford invests in you with medical benefits built to help you plan for what’s next. You’ll also get support for you and your family that meets you at every step, so you can move forward with confidence.

Health and Wellness

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, mental health, and unique wellness perks keep you and your family supported every step of the way.
Financial and Retirement Programs

Build a strong financial future with robust retirement contributions, savings programs, and free personalized financial planning tools.
Flexible Vacation and Holidays

Enjoy your time away from work with generous vacation, holidays, and flexible family leave designed to help you balance life and work with ease.
Vehicle Discount Program

The best thing about building great products is driving them! The second-best thing: sharing your discount with family and friends so they can drive them, too.
Family Growth and Support

Grow your family confidently with fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance, paid parental leave, and a supportive new-parent ramp-up program.
Additional Programs

Enjoy unexpected extras like pet insurance, legal services, identity protection, and access to convenient health and wellness services.

Ford gives me the space to innovate, to lead, and to serve — all while staying true to who I am as an engineer, educator, and parent. It’s not just a career; it’s a community that drives change.

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Lean Strategist

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Change the world with your ideas.

Support designed to go the distance.

Health and Wellness

Financial and Retirement Programs

Flexible Vacation and Holidays

Vehicle Discount Program

Family Growth and Support

Additional Programs

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