Director - Material Flow and Packaging Engineering and Plant Operations

Role Overview Ford Motor Company is seeking a highly experienced Director to lead Material Flow and Packaging Engineering (MFPE) and Plant Operations at its India Manufacturing Group (IMG). This is a critical leadership role responsible for driving end-to-end material flow strategies, packaging engineering excellence, and plant operational governance across global and cross-functional teams. The position demands a seasoned supply chain and logistics professional with deep expertise in new model program management, inventory optimization, and manufacturing operations. Key Responsibilities - Lead MFPE strategies including delivery lean maturity model, benchmarking, innovation, and forward model program management covering facilities, tooling investment, freight and duty budgets, and inventory readiness - Drive standardization of new model study forecasting and benchmarking on space, flow, and investment efficiency through program-led complexity reduction initiatives - Collaborate with purchasing and program teams to validate supplier sequencing assumptions, develop packaging solutions, and achieve optimum material cost outcomes - Support MSAP, PD, and ME-led program studies covering freight and tooling, freight and duty, warehousing, sequencing, and bailment strategies as part of end-to-end material flow from supplier to point of fit - Lead freight CPU reduction efforts through packaging engineering and intra-plant logistics, contributing to enterprise-wide savings including material cost reductions and manufacturing labor overhead reduction via material handling automation - Grow the MFPE Centre of Excellence at global scale and align MFPE business processes to support TVM actions for optimizing inventory and freight cost - Ensure IMG plants achieve favorable monthly SNURK and MCRP results and manage MP&L-related plant audit findings in collaboration with IC and plant teams - Lead IMG program management actions at launch phase in coordination with new model launch, product development, purchasing, STA, manufacturing, and supplier teams - Lead IMG SMRT for upstream supplier launch readiness, supplier resourcing, and delivery performance improvements including MMOG compliance - Drive IMG MP&L Innovation and Transformation Council initiatives covering end-to-end digitization and automation - Conduct monthly plant operating governance reviews and LMM sessions to ensure plant scorecards deliver intended results - Champion safety KPIs, sustainability initiatives, and future skilling programs for the team Required Qualifications - Engineering or technical degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred - Minimum 15 years of experience in supply chain, inventory, and logistics domains - Operational plant experience within a manufacturing facility - Prior experience in material flow and packaging engineering, logistics, supply chain management, or new model launch - In-depth understanding of new model study processes, tools, and templates - In-depth knowledge of synchronous material flow and global work streams - Strong financial acumen covering investment planning, freight and tooling, variable costs, space, and CPU metrics - Ability to manage a large, diverse workforce across multiple countries - Strong communication skills to engage effectively with all levels of management globally - Willingness to travel locally and internationally and flexibility to work across multiple time zones - Global perspective on material flow, packaging engineering, inventory management, and logistics evaluation - Strong problem-solving skills and a servant leadership approach with cultural awareness and sensitivity Why Join Us Ford Motor Company offers a globally connected and innovation-driven work environment where you can lead transformational change across manufacturing and supply chain operations. This role provides an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of material flow and packaging engineering at one of the world's most iconic automotive companies.

- Minimum 15 years of experience in supply chain, inventory, and logistics - Engineering or technical degree; MBA or advanced degree preferred - Operational plant experience in a manufacturing environment - Expertise in material flow and packaging engineering - In-depth knowledge of synchronous material flow and global work streams - Strong financial acumen in investment, freight and tooling, and CPU metrics - Experience managing large and diverse global teams - Proficiency in new model study processes, tools, and templates - Excellent cross-functional and global communication skills - Willingness to travel locally and internationally - Flexibility to work across different time zones - Problem-solving mindset with a servant leadership approach - Cultural awareness and sensitivity in a global work environment

- Opportunity to lead a global Centre of Excellence - Cross-functional and international collaboration - Work with one of the world's leading automotive brands - Exposure to cutting-edge digitization and automation initiatives - Professional growth through training and competency development programs