Launch and Central Engineering Area Manager

Ford-Motor-Company; Cuautitlán; Presencial; MXN 900.000 - 1.200.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Ford Mexico seeks an experienced lead for new product launches and Central Engineering to connect product strategy with manufacturing execution. You will drive manufacturing preparation through start of production, manage budgets, and coordinate with plant and corporate teams.

The role requires advanced English, cross‑functional leadership, and a track record in automotive programs, with a focus on ramp‑up, risk management, and continuous improvement.

Formación

• Must have a professional degree in engineering or related technical discipline.
• Experience in automotive manufacturing, especially in new product launches, manufacturing engineering, operations, or technical project management.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in high‑complexity environments.
• Ability to manage projects, priorities, resources, risks, and budgets with a results‑oriented approach.
• Knowledge of manufacturing systems, quality, process capability, and continuous improvement.
• Advanced English for interacting with global teams.

Responsabilidades

• Lead the execution of new programs from manufacturing preparation through start of production and volume stabilization.
• Direct and develop the Launch and Central Engineering organizations, setting priorities and driving effective collaboration between the plant, program teams, and corporate functions.
• Manage the master launch plan, budget, resources, risks, and governance mechanisms needed to meet program objectives.
• Lead the preparation and execution of prototypes, pre-series builds, manufacturing validation events, readiness assessments, and production ramp-up plans.
• Represent the voice of the plant to program teams and coordinate the resolution and escalation of risks that could affect safety, quality, cost, timing, or volume.
• Lead the Central Engineering strategy related to installed capacity, infrastructure, facilities, and the integration and release of new equipment and processes.
• Ensure engineering projects deliver solutions that are safe, capable, maintainable, efficient, and production-ready.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, automation, and new manufacturing technologies that increase the plant's competitiveness.

Conocimientos

Cross-functional leadership

English proficiency

Project management

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

FMEA

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Master's degree or MBA in business/engineering or project management

Descripción del empleo

Lead new product launches and Central Engineering capabilities for the plant, connecting product strategy with strong manufacturing execution.

The position integrates two main responsibilities: ensuring successful launches of new programs, meeting safety, quality, timing, cost, and production ramp-up objectives; and developing the engineering capabilities, infrastructure, equipment, and processes needed to support current and future plant operations.

The goal is simple: successfully launch the next product while building the manufacturing capability needed for the one after it.

• Lead the execution of new programs from manufacturing preparation through start of production and volume stabilization.
• Direct and develop the Launch and Central Engineering organizations, setting priorities and driving effective collaboration between the plant, program teams, and corporate functions.
• Manage the master launch plan, budget, resources, risks, and governance mechanisms needed to meet program objectives.
• Lead the preparation and execution of prototypes, pre-series builds, manufacturing validation events, readiness assessments, and production ramp-up plans.
• Represent the voice of the plant to program teams and coordinate the resolution and escalation of risks that could affect safety, quality, cost, timing, or volume.
• Lead the Central Engineering strategy related to installed capacity, infrastructure, facilities, and the integration and release of new equipment and processes.
• Ensure engineering projects deliver solutions that are safe, capable, maintainable, efficient, and production-ready.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, automation, and new manufacturing technologies that increase the plant's competitiveness.

• Professional degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Relevant experience in automotive manufacturing, preferably in new product launch, manufacturing engineering, operations, or technical project management.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in high-complexity environments.
• Ability to manage projects, priorities, resources, risks, and budgets with a results-oriented approach.
• Knowledge of manufacturing systems, quality, process capability, and continuous improvement.

• Advanced English for interacting with global teams.

  Nice to have:

• Experience with structured product development and automotive launch systems.
• Experience in Advanced Product Quality Planning, manufacturing & production readiness, and ramp-up.
• Experience in capacity planning, layouts, facilities, commissioning, or new equipment implementation.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, FMEA, Control Plans, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience managing capital projects and engineering budgets.
• Master's degree or additional training in business administration, engineering, or project management.

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