Plant Manager

About Ford

Do you want to change the world? The Ford Motor Company has endured and thrived for 118 years—through every imaginable challenge—because we have the vision to imagine the future and the courage to change. Ford is redefining how it will build a better world for the future by creating a culture and opportunities where employees will capitalize on Ford’s excellence in designing and building the most iconic products while also helping develop the future of world-class connected BEVs. Ford is transforming our global automotive business to scale EVs, strengthen operations, and unlock value. We will deliver the speed of a startup, with the deep expertise of high-volume production. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.

The Opportunity

Ford North America Manufacturing is hiring exceptional talent for our Plant Manager role at Windsor Site Operations which consists of Windsor Engine and Essex Engine Plants located in Canada. Our Plant Managers are critical to the success of Ford Motor Company and our ability to deliver innovative, high-quality products that our customers want and need. These plant leaders are highly visible members of the local community and responsible for leading a team of area managers within one of our 40+ manufacturing plants in vehicle operations, powertrain, or stamping operations.

The Team

The Plant Manager will report to a regional Director of Manufacturing and lead the two Plants’ Executive Leadership Teams. The Plant Manager will lead a team of functional manufacturing leaders (operating committee members) and have oversight for approximately 1,800 employees between the two sites.

What You’ll Be Able to Do

The Plant Manager is the “CEO” of the plant, with a holistic understanding of manufacturing and business operations. These leaders take full accountability for plant operations delivering on cost and quality. Some of the Plant Manager key responsibilities include:

Excellence

• Creates a culture of proactive safety ensuring our most valuable asset, our team members, get home safely every day.
• Leverages data and insights to drive lean improvements that deliver on quality and cost targets.
• Continually seeks opportunities and inspires others to improve processes and outcomes, leveraging KPIs and the PDCA model.
• Holds self and others accountable for excellence and adherence to operational and behavioral expectations.
• Effectively collaborates with Area Managers, Process Coaches, and Hourly Employees to set standards and lead by example at all levels of the organization.
• Develops “leaders as teachers” and prioritizes ongoing development and evaluation of employee performance to continually create high-performing teams that deliver results.
• Leads implementation of the Ford Production System aligned with lean principles and behaviors to drive structured problem solving at all levels of the organization.
• Leads transformation and change management efforts to advance the company’s competitiveness.
• Addresses risk, concerns, and recognizes achievements of their team.

Focus

• Serves as a positive change agent driving results and leveraging relationships to get things done.
• Establishes and operationalizes a local vision and mission through clear goal setting and communication through structured operational cadences.
• Ensures operational stability by implementing disciplined processes and standards, meeting jobs per hour, rolled-throughput-yield, quality, and other key metrics.
• Strong problem solver who can lead effectively under pressure and crisis manage when necessary.
• Leads cost reductions and manages plant resources responsibly and for the betterment of plant operations and profitability.

Collaboration

• Creates a servant leadership culture by demonstrating self-awareness and a deep understanding of employee's aspirations, strengths, and well-being.
• Leverages staff to build an inclusive culture allowing for diverse viewpoints and mutual respect.
• Fosters collaboration on best practices, standardized work, and building networks across functional areas.
• Builds strong relationships with employees, Employee Resource Groups, the union, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Consistently demonstrates empathy by engaging regularly with employees on the plant floor to listen and problem solve.
• Role models authenticity and inspires through charismatic communication and leading by example.
• Brings a high level of energy and effort to all tasks.

Functional & Technical Knowledge

The Minimum Requirements We Seek

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical field.
• 10+ years of progressive responsibilities and experience in operations leadership in a high-volume, high-precision, complex manufacturing environment.
• Lean / Six Sigma certification or demonstrated equivalent experience applying lean manufacturing principles.
• Extensive experience in high-volume, complex, manufacturing environments ideally with machining and assembly in a tight tolerance environment.
• Hands-on leader with strong relationship building skills and experience interfacing with hourly and salaried employees.
• Deep understanding of managing a Profit and Loss statement, demonstrating strong financial acumen.
• Aspiration for continued career growth and new challenges.

Our Preferred Requirements

• A master’s degree or equivalent experience in an engineering or technical field.
• Experience partnering with the union during negotiation/contract renewal.
• Experience in engine or powertrain manufacturing.
• Deep manufacturing engineering technical capabilities.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.