Area Manufacturing Manager

Ford; Lima (OH); On-site; USD 138,000 - 262,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Vehicle discount

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company seeks an Area Manager in Ohio to lead change initiatives in a high‑volume plant, guiding teams, removing barriers, and building capability through coaching.

You will drive Lean and Six Sigma practices, analyze KPI data, and collaborate with cross‑functional experts to deliver cost and quality improvements while developing leaders at all levels.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent in engineering/technical field.
• 4+ years of operations leadership in high-volume manufacturing.
• Experience supervising 50+ hourly employees.
• Proven ability to lead change and build positive cultures.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates empathy and Gemba, engaging regularly with employees in the production environment to listen and problem solve.
• Utilize lean manufacturing principles and processes to global manufacturing standards.
• Leverage performance data for strategic insights to predict early warning indicators, identify opportunities, make decisions, and deliver solutions.
• Achieving Business results by Leading the development and delivery of KPI's, ensuring Department objectives support the business objectives.
• Ensure stability within their area by focusing on inputs, processes and the required outputs.
• Drive Continuous Improvement by eliminating internal roadblocks and providing the necessary resources to their teams to support problem resolution resulting in cost/quality improvement.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts across functions/departments to drive innovation and deliver timely solutions.
• Lead transformation and change management efforts.
• Develop organisational capability through coaching and development of "Leaders as Teachers" at all levels of the organisation.
• Participates in talent strategies to develop high performing, diverse talent and teams, to ensure the highest levels of engagement and retention.

Skills

Leadership

Empathy

Gemba

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Problem solving

Change management

Team development

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent in engineering/technical field

Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical field

Tools

Lean manufacturing principles

Six Sigma certification

KPI tracking

Job description

In this position... At Ford Motor Company, we are taking our Area Managers to the next level. This member of the plant leadership team is responsible for leading change efforts within the plant in order to meet global manufacturing standards. They will support employees by removing barriers to their success, and developing their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

What you'll do...

• Demonstrates empathy and Gemba, engaging regularly with employees in the production environment to listen and problem solve
• Utilize lean manufacturing principles and processes to global manufacturing standards
• Leverage performance data for strategic insights to predict early warning indicators, identify opportunities, make decisions, and deliver solutions
• Achieving Business results by Leading the development and delivery of KPI's, ensuring Department objectives support the business objectives
• Ensure stability within their area by focusing on inputs, processes and the required outputs
• Drive Continuous Improvement by eliminating internal roadblocks and providing the necessary resources to their teams to support problem resolution resulting in cost/quality improvement
• Collaborate with subject matter experts across functions/departments to drive innovation and deliver timely solutions
• Lead transformation and change management efforts
• Develop organisational capability through coaching and development of "Leaders as Teachers" at all levels of the organisation.
• Participates in talent strategies to develop high performing, diverse talent and teams, to ensure the highest levels of engagement and retention.

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 a manufacturing function and directly overseeing 50+ hourly employees at once
• Demonstrated track record of building trust and rapport with employees and stakeholders 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.
• Successful candidate must be able to demonstrate leadership with outstanding interpersonal, team building, and communication skills

Even better, you may have...

• Education: Bachelor's degree in an engineering or technical field
• Experience: Operational experience leading manufacturing processes across multiple areas (body, paint, final assembly, etc.)
• Lean / Six Sigma certification or demonstrated equivalent experience applying lean manufacturing principles and standardised work.
• Experience working in a fast paced unionised manufacturing environment
• Maintenance background preferred

but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company,

Benefits

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 the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programmes, subsidised back-up childcare and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount programme 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.

This position is leadership level 5 and ranges from $138,240-261,720.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorised to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, colour, 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