Job Description

The Opportunity

As the Team Manager – Production, you will lead the execution, optimization, and continuous improvement of high-volume assembly and manufacturing operations within our advanced BESS facility. In this role, you will:

• Lead with Purpose: Build, inspire, and lead an agile production team to deliver advanced battery storage technology driving the future of the American grid.

• Lead System Performance: Drive standardization, discipline, and execution of the Ford Energy Production System (FEPS) to ensure peak manufacturing efficiency, quality, and operational stability.

• Enable Business Results: Deliver SQDCPME (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People, Maintenance, Environment) objectives through effective shift scheduling, resource alignment, and line performance management.

• Drive Continuous Improvement: Champion data-driven decision-making to optimize cycle times, eliminate production bottlenecks, reduce scrap, and maximize First Time Through (FTT) rates.

• Develop People & Capability: Build a high-performing manufacturing team through hands-on coaching, mentorship, and skill development of production operators, team leaders, and technicians.

• Partner Cross-Functionally: Align seamlessly with Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Logistics to resolve systemic line issues, support new product launches, and meet plant-wide objectives.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Operational Leadership
• Accountable for department-wide performance against key manufacturing metrics, including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), First Time Through (FTT) capability, scrap reduction, and unit cost.
• Translate high-level corporate business plans into actionable, daily shop-floor manufacturing strategies, ensuring seamless alignment across all production shifts.
• Ensure absolute compliance with contamination-control protocols, cleanroom standards, and material handling guidelines critical to battery energy storage technology.
• Direct the response to critical facility constraints, material shortages, or major equipment failures, ensuring rapid escalation, root-cause resolution, and sustainable corrective actions.
• Manage department budgets, staffing plans, capacity constraints, and operational expenditure (OpEx) targets. Lead daily pre-task analyses and support safe work execution across all production shifts.
Quality & Continuous Improvement
• Champion systemic continuous improvement efforts, utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, DMAIC) to eliminate waste and variability.
• Govern the layered process audit (LPA) structure and process confirmation routines to ensure total adherence to standardized work.
• Partner with Quality and Launch Engineering to manage new product introductions (NPI), engineering changes, and system validation trials without compromising daily throughput.
Leadership & Culture
• Directly lead, evaluate, and develop Senior Production Supervisors and department staff, establishing clear performance expectations and accountability.
• Foster a culture of psychological safety, absolute integrity, and collaboration, promoting trust and high engagement across all levels of the organization.
• Lead high-level tiered operating meetings (Tier 3/4) to align cross-functional plant leadership (Maintenance, Quality, Logistics, and Engineering) on daily priorities and systemic issues.
• Manage team relations proactively, ensuring all operational decisions comply with company policies and applicable agreements.
Safety & Environmental Stewardship
• Own the safety culture for the production department, driving a zero-injury mindset and ensuring compliance with all government, corporate, and plant safety regulations.
• Enforce rigorous adherence to safety routines, control plans, ergonomic standards, and environmental requirements on the production floor.
Capabilities for Success
• Resilient Leader: An emotionally intelligent leader who remains calm and decisive in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
• Collaborative Influencer: A proven ability to build trust and influence cross-functional teams to achieve shared business strategies.
• Complexity Manager: Skilled at managing highly complex processes and communicating effectively with all levels of leadership.
• Business Acumen: Strong operational and project management skills with a focus on metrics-driven team development and resource optimization.

Position Qualifications and Key Capabilities
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related technical field.
• Experience: Significant, progressive leadership experience in high-volume manufacturing (e.g., automotive, battery cell/pack assembly, food manufacturing, or semiconductor industries).
• Leadership Track Record: Proven experience managing other leaders (such as Senior Supervisors, Supervisors, or Process Coaches) and leading large, multi-shift production teams.
• Technical Systems: Strong working knowledge of manufacturing execution systems (MES), automated assembly lines, parts traceability, and end-of-line testing.
• Problem-Solving: Advanced root-cause analysis capability with a track record of implementing systemic, long-term technical and operational solutions.
• Flexibility: Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation, including flexibility to work across shifts, weekends, and extended hours as business needs dictate.
Preferred
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Management, or a related field.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Strong working knowledge of traceability and testing data systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in conflict management, negotiation, and persuasion.
• Ability to work closely with others to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
Leadership Attributes
• Strategic Visionary: Able to translate the rapidly evolving global energy storage market into actionable maintenance strategies.
• Decisive Under Pressure: The ability to remain calm and make rapid, data-driven decisions during facility constraints or critical equipment failures.
• Adaptability: The resilience to lead a team through the ambiguity of a new startup, where processes are being built and refined in real-time.
• Business Partner: The ability to translate technical maintenance requirements into sound financial business cases for executive stakeholders. Visionary strategic thinker able to navigate rapidly evolving global energy storage markets.
Location & Travel
U.S. with domestic travel
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.
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.