Master Black Belt

Ford; Ypsilanti (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford Motor Company’s Rawsonville Components Plant in Michigan is seeking a Lean Six Sigma Team Manager to drive the Ford Production System on the shop floor, embedding FPS into operations and leading a cross-functional effort to eliminate waste.

You will mentor Black Belts and Green Belts, teach Six Sigma and Lean methods, and guide Kaizen projects to deliver measurable improvements while collaborating with global teams.

Job description

In this position...

At Ford Motor Company's Rawsonville Components Plant, we are driving the future of manufacturing. We are evolving our Master Black Belt roles into Lean and Six Sigma Team Manager-dynamic leaders who bridge the gap between data-driven Six Sigma precision and the high-velocity efficiency of Lean methodologies.

In this pivotal role, you won't just be an advisor; you will be a catalyst for change on the shop floor. You will be responsible for embedding the Ford Production System (FPS) into the DNA of Rawsonville's operations. As a Team Manager, you will teach, coach, and lead the charge on resolving major operational concerns, delivering impactful project results, and fostering a culture where waste elimination is second nature. If you are passionate about mentoring the next generation of problem-solvers and driving significant change initiatives in a fast-paced components environment, this is the role for you.

What you'll do...

• Drive Strategy: Implement and lead Ford North America's Six Sigma strategy specifically within the Rawsonville production environment, ensuring alignment with plant-wide throughput and quality goals.
• Cultivate Talent: Mentor Rawsonville Plant Leadership, Black Belts, and Green Belts in advanced Lean and Six Sigma problem-solving methodologies to build a robust pipeline of experts.
• Champion the Ford Production System (FPS): Instruct teams on FPS Standards and Lean Principles—including Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Visual Management, and the 8 Wastes to aggressively eliminate inefficiencies.
• Lead Certification & Training: Teach Six Sigma Black Belt and Green Belt classes, guiding students through the rigorous process of project completion and certification.
• Execute Kaizen: Manage and mentor Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialists in the execution of Kaizen projects, ensuring activities result in sustainable, measurable improvements.
• Solve Complex Problems: Support cross-functional problem-solving teams at the plant and across the supplier base to tackle high-priority technical and operational bottlenecks.
• Operational Excellence: Implement sustainability strategies and lean practices alongside Plant Leadership to ensure Rawsonville remains a leader in manufacturing maturity.
• Monitor Progress: Oversee and execute gap closure plans for the Lean Maturity Model (LMM) within the plant’s various value streams.
• Collaborate Globally: Liaise with other Ford business units and manufacturing sites to share best practices and ensure Rawsonville benefits from (and contributes to) global Six Sigma knowledge.

You'll have...

• Education: High School Diploma or GED (Minimum).
• Experience: A minimum of 3 years of related experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment (component manufacturing experience preferred).

Even better, you may have...

• Bachelor's Degree – Engineering discipline or strong manufacturing experience preferred
• Certifications: Master Black Belt Certified, or ability to obtain certification within 12 months, Lean Certificate and Formal Training
• 5+ years of related experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong statistical analysis skillset
• Deep understanding of the Ford Quality Operating System (QOS) and related methods
• Experience leading teams
• Lean Mastery: Proven expertise in the application of Lean principles and practices within a production setting.
• Technical Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Lean and Six Sigma tools, methodologies, and statistical analysis.
• Systems Knowledge: A solid understanding of the Ford Lean Maturity Model (LMM) and how it integrates with daily production.
• Data Fluency: Strong analytics and data management skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable improvement plans.
• Leadership Presence: Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with a proven ability to influence at all levels—from the plant floor to executive leadership.
• Resilience: The ability to thrive under pressure, multi-task, and maintain focus in the fast-paced, ever-changing environment of a major components plant.
• Collaborative Spirit: A demonstrated ability to work effectively across diverse teams and employee levels to achieve common goals.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

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 programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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 leadership salary grade 6.

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 committed to a culturally diverse workforce. 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.

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