Ford Production System Strategist, Ford Energy

Ford Energy; Glendale (KY); On-site; USD 99,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Prescription drug coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford Energy is seeking a seasoned Lean Manufacturing specialist to lead FPS initiatives on the production floor, partnering with supervisors and operators to implement standardized work, visual management, and continuous improvement.

You will develop and audit Standardized Work Sheets, provide on-the-floor coaching, and guide problem-solving to eliminate waste and improve line balance across high-volume assembly environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Industrial, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Minimum 5+ years applying Lean Manufacturing tools on the shop floor.
• Experience on high-volume assembly lines is essential.
• Lean Six Sigma training preferred but not required.
• Domestic and international travel up to 20% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as FPS SME and apply Standardized Work, 6S, Visual Management, SMED, Error Proofing.
• Deploy FPS tools on the manufacturing line with supervisors and operators.
• Draft and audit Standardized Work Sheets and Job Instruction Sheets for battery processes.
• Provide real-time coaching to production teams during operations.
• Lead Kaizen events and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Shop floor experience

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma training

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Lean Six Sigma tools

Production System standards

Job description

Job Description

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Ford Energy

Ford Energy is a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company dedicated to accelerating U.S. energy independence. Leveraging Ford’s century of manufacturing excellence and world-class battery energy storage systems (BESS) technology, Ford Energy designs, manufactures, and services grid-scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems (BESS). Ford Energy is uniquely positioned to capture the growing demand for reliable, US-built energy storage systems. We are not just building batteries; we are building the infrastructure for the next generation of the American grid.

Why Ford Energy?

At Ford Energy, you have the backing of an industrial manufacturing powerhouse with the agility of a dedicated energy startup offering industry leading technology. We offer a competitive compensation package including performance-based bonuses, Ford vehicle discounts, and the opportunity to shape the energy strategy of one of the world's most iconic brands.

In this position

Responsibilities

What you'll do

• FPS Subject Matter Expertise (SME): Serve as the go‑to resource and technical authority on all FPS elements (including Standardized Work, 6S, Visual Management, Quick Changeover/SMED, Error Proofing, and Levelled Production).
• Hands‑on Shop‑Floor Implementation: Work side‑by‑side with production supervisors, team leaders, and operators on the manufacturing line to physically deploy FPS tools. Transition theoretical FPS concepts into practical, daily operational habits.
• Standardized Work Development & Auditing: Partner with production to draft, optimize, and audit Standardized Work Sheets and Job Instruction Sheets for critical battery processes. Ensure strict adherence to prevent quality defects.
• On‑the‑Floor Coaching & Execution: Provide real‑time, immediate coaching to production teams during daily operations. Help teams understand why FPS processes exist and how to execute them.
• Structured Problem Solving: Guide shop‑floor teams through structured problem‑solving methodologies (e.g., 5‑Why, Fishbone, 8D) to resolve immediate production bottlenecks, scrap spikes, or equipment downtime.
• Kaizen & Continuous Improvement Leadership: Plan, facilitate, and execute shop‑floor Kaizen events directly with the production operators to eliminate waste, improve ergonomics, and optimize line balancing.
• FPS Maturity & Gap Analysis: Conduct regular, detailed audits of production zones against FPS standards. Collaborate with production leadership to develop and execute recovery plans for any identified gaps.
• Visual Management: Confirm the right application of the visual management standards in the workstation.

Qualifications

You'll have

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering required (in lieu of degree, 8+ years of proven experience applying Lean Manufacturing tools or production systems will be considered)
• 5+ years of proven experience applying Lean Manufacturing tools or production systems
• 5+ years of experience working directly on the shop floor in a high volume assembly environment
• Lean Six Sigma trained (certification not required)
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, up to 20%, as needed

Even better, you may have

• Proven track record working with Production Systems or as a Lean Manufacturing practitioner/SME.
• Deep, demonstrable knowledge of Production System standards, tools, and methodologies.
• Battery, powertrain, or electronics experience is highly preferred
• Excellent coaching and interpersonal skills; ability to build trust and influence hourly operators, team leaders, and salaried production managers.
• Strong "go-and-see" (Gemba) mindset, spending most of the day on the production floor.

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.

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$166,200.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

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. 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.

Company: As Ford establishes a wholly owned subsidiary focused on Battery Energy Storage Systems, this role will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to the subsidiary within one year.

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