Plant Medical Leader, Occupational Health

Responsible for coordinating and supporting the plant’s Occupational Health Program and for providing occupational medical care to employees at Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly Plant. This role ensures compliance with applicable Mexican occupational health regulations, Ford medical standards, and internal processes related to medical surveillance, fitness-for-duty evaluations, case management, emergency response, and health reporting.
The position provides clinical leadership and operational oversight for onsite medical services, including purchased service medical staff supporting the plant’s 24/7 medical operation. This role partners closely with Human Resources, Safety, Labor Relations, Purchasing, and plant leadership to promote employee health, support injury and illness management, and maintain a safe and healthy workplace.
The role also supports the business by identifying how Occupational Health can contribute to corporate priorities, including workforce availability, safe operations, regulatory compliance, employee wellbeing, productivity, and effective case management.
This position reports to the LATAM Medical Director, with a matrix report to the Plant HR Manager.

• Coordinate and support the plant Occupational Health Program, including medical surveillance, regulatory exams, follow-up care, health reporting, and prevention activities.
• Perform and/or oversee occupational medical evaluations, including pre-placement, periodic, return-to-work, fitness-for-duty, job change, and exit examinations, in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
• Determine employee fitness for work based on job demands, workplace exposures, and medical findings, while maintaining medical confidentiality and proper documentation.
• Provide occupational clinical care for work-related injuries and illnesses, initial evaluation of onsite medical events, basic treatment, triage, and referral to outside providers or emergency services as needed.
• Support case management for occupational and non-occupational conditions affecting work status, including coordination with treating providers, work restrictions, accommodation guidance, and return-to-work planning, as appropriate.
• Partner with plant leadership to support business needs and corporate priorities by developing occupational health actions that help reduce risk, minimize lost time, improve workforce readiness, and strengthen employee wellbeing.
• Oversee the quality, scheduling support, credentials, and day-to-day clinical guidance of vendor or purchased service medical staff assigned to the plant medical operation.
• Administer purchase orders and coordinate vendors for occupational health-related services and supplies, including staffing, medications, laboratory and diagnostic studies, calibration and maintenance of medical equipment, medical supplies, drug testing, vaccines, and other required medical services.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee medical records in accordance with Mexican legal requirements and Ford standards, in OHSIM (Ford’s electronic medical record system).
• Partner with Safety, Ergonomics, HR, Labor Relations, and other stakeholders to assess workplace risks, support incident review, recommend preventive measures, and assist with work restrictions or job accommodations.
• Identify, document, and support appropriate handling of suspected occupational illnesses and injuries, including required internal reporting and coordination with IMSS, STPS, or other relevant external agencies when applicable.
• Develop, monitor, analyze, and report occupational health metrics and performance trends, including examples such as medical surveillance compliance, Health Operating System adherence and capability, case management duration, wellness program completion, resolution of identified issues, psychosocial risk and trauma intervention completion, and service level agreements delivery.
• Support employee health promotion and wellness initiatives through education, communication, and preventive campaigns.
• Provide support during medical emergencies at the plant and assist with family notification processes in serious injury or fatality situations, following company protocols.
• Prepare required reports, presentations, and updates for regional and global medical leadership.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Medical Doctor degree from an accredited institution.
• Current valid license to practice medicine in Mexico.
• Specialty training, residency, or board certification in Occupational Medicine, or equivalent relevant occupational health experience.
• 5  years of experience as an Occupational Medicine Physician including clinical experience and leadership experience.
• Experience performing occupational exams, medical surveillance, fitness-for-duty evaluations, and occupational case management.
• Knowledge of Mexican occupational health regulations, applicable labor and health requirements, and interaction with agencies such as IMSS and STPS.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with employees, leaders, HR, Safety, Labor Relations, and external providers.
• Experience working in a unionized environment in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or ability to obtain promptly after hire.
• Fluent Spanish and professional English communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic medical record systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the automotive industry or other high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Experience managing vendors, purchase orders, and operational medical services.
• Training or experience in hearing conservation, respirator medical clearance, pulmonary function testing, ergonomics, psychosocial risk management, or disability management.
  

This description outlines the general nature and scope of work typically performed in this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, work requirements, etc. It may vary slightly based on business or geographic needs and is subject to being reviewed and updated periodically.