Internal Logistics Team Manager

Ford Motor Company is seeking an Internal Logistics Team Manager to join the Material Planning & Logistics (MP&L) team at the Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant (HSAP). Reporting to the MP&L Area Manager, this role oversees a team of Material Planning Specialists (MPS), PC Sequence, and a Safety and Training Engineer. The successful candidate will coordinate end-to-end internal logistics operations—including unloading, storage, and line-side supply—while acting as the critical communication link between campus suppliers and the plant to ensure uninterrupted production. This position requires strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration with HR and the labor union, and a hands-on approach to safety, process design, and financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate all internal plant logistics operations, from unloading and storage to line-side material supply.
• Serve as the primary liaison between campus suppliers and plant operations, resolving logistics and quality issues that could impact production.
• Manage and develop a team including Material Planning Specialists, PC Sequence, and a Safety and Training Engineer.
• Champion safety, ergonomics, and 5S compliance across the department.
• Drive continuous improvement, waste elimination, and Kaizen initiatives.
• Oversee financial metrics such as scrap control, overtime, and departmental budget.

Key responsibilities

Safety & Compliance

• Coordinate analyses and strategies to improve department safety metrics.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols, ergonomics guidelines, and 5S standards among team members and hourly personnel.

Internal Logistics

• Coordinate unloading, storage, and line-side supply processes.
• Ensure proper design of new processes that are operationally sound and manageable for frontline technicians.
• Manage personnel matters cross-functionally with HR and the labor union.
• Manage financial and personnel resources for smooth operations.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to solve problems and implement new processes.
• Provide systematic support to Process Coaches for daily operational issues.

Financial, Change & Process Optimization

• Foster continuous improvement across the team.
• Propose ideas to eliminate operational waste.
• Propose and participate in year-over-year efficiency projects.
• Review, approve, and champion team Kaizen projects.
• Ensure compliance with financial metrics (scrap control, overtime, budget).

Campus Liaison

• Act as the communication bridge between campus suppliers and the plant on logistics and quality matters.

Leadership & People Development

• Hold regular 1:1s and feedback sessions with direct reports.
• Conduct engagement meetings with salaried staff and communication meetings with hourly personnel.
• Create and follow up on Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
• Execute skip-level meetings and drive closure of resulting action plans.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in personnel management and logistics operations.
• Advanced/Fluent English.
• Experience with ERP systems and Bill of Materials (BOM) management.
• Familiarity with Ford Production System (FPS) processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills using methodologies like 8Ds and 5 Whys.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

 

Must Have Skills

• ERP system management
• Bill of Materials (BOM) management
• Ford Production System (FPS) knowledge
• Problem-solving methodologies (8Ds, 5 Whys)
• Intermediate to advanced Excel
• Conflict management and time management
• Strong communication skills

 

Highly Desirable Skills

• Prior experience managing unionized hourly workforce
• Experience with Kaizen and continuous improvement programs
• Cross-functional collaboration with HR and labor relations
• Financial/budget management experience (scrap, overtime control)
• Change management and new process implementation experience

 

Education preference

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related field is preferred.

Competency or skills to be gained

• Advanced leadership and people management within a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Strategic cross-functional collaboration (HR, manufacturing, supply chain).
• Deep expertise in Ford Production System (FPS) and lean manufacturing principles.
• Advanced financial and resource management within plant operations.
• Structured problem-solving and continuous improvement (Kaizen) leadership.
• Supplier and campus-level logistics coordination experience.

 

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