Lean Strategy Leader – Continuous Improvement Architect

Ford-Motor-Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 112,680 - 212,760; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Parental leave

Back-up child care

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Lean Strategist to drive continuous improvement across our manufacturing footprint. You will design strategic frameworks, mentor cross-functional teams, and evolve the Ford Production System to boost throughput and reduce waste.

You will lead end-to-end Kaizen efforts, integrate lean into early product launches, and standardize 5S/visual management to sustain safe, organized operations. Travel up to 50% is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level engineering degree in manufacturing or related field.
• 4+ years leading large-scale lean transformations in manufacturing.
• Deep mastery of lean tools: VSM, Yamazumi, 5S, standardized work, A3 solving.
• Ability to mentor cross-functional teams and travel up to 50%.
• Leadership to influence all levels from shop floor to exec.

Responsibilities

• FPS Stewardship: align lean activities with standards and drive evolution.
• Model Areas: create and sustain best-practice blueprints for scaling.
• Value Stream Mapping sessions across plants for current/future state.
• Lead high-impact Kaizen events at manufacturing plants.
• Launch readiness: integrate lean early in vehicle programs.
• 5S & Visual Management: standardize and audit across sites.
• Cross-functional mentorship across Finance, HR, Eng, Ops.

Skills

Lean tools

VSM

Yamazumi

5S

A3 Solver

Education

BASc in Engineering - Manufacturing

Tools

Ford Production System

Job description

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Lean Strategist to drive continuous improvement across our manufacturing footprint. You will design strategic frameworks, mentor cross-functional teams, and evolve the Ford Production System to boost throughput and reduce waste.

You will lead end-to-end Kaizen efforts, integrate lean into early product launches, and standardize 5S/visual management to sustain safe, organized operations. Travel up to 50% is required.