Are you a strategic leader with a passion for transforming complex supply chains?
as the chief of staff for material planning & logistics (mp&l) in mexico, you will be the right hand to the mp&l director, playing an instrumental role in shaping the future of ford's supply chain operations.
this is a unique opportunity to drive critical modernization projects, develop long-term strategic action plans (x-matrices, balanced scorecards), and ensure operational excellence across a dynamic, multinational environment.
you will gain unparalleled exposure to diverse facets of our mp&l organization, collaborating closely with key functions like forward model, material logistics, automation, supplier readiness, safety, and customs.
if you thrive in a highly collaborative, fast-paced setting and are eager to make a tangible impact on ford's global manufacturing footprint, this role is for you
*you'll have...*
- bachelor's degree in supply chain management, industrial engineering, economics, computer engineering, international affairs, or a related field.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in material planning & logistics (mp&l), with at least 11 years in a demonstrated leadership or project management role.
- proven ability to lead and deliver continuous improvement projects, with a track record of identifying and eliminating process waste.
- strong project management skills and a results-oriented mindset, capable of driving initiatives to completion with diligent follow-up.
- demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions.
- experience leveraging data analytical tools such as alteryx, powerbi, and other related data visualization or process automation tools.
- exceptional written and oral communication skills, with a proven ability to effectively report project status and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
- flexibility to travel as required (up to 10% of the time).
*even better, you may have...*
- a track record of implementing significant cost savings (e.g., >5% reduction in a key area) and/or quality improvement initiatives.
- experience in sharepoint development or similar collaborative platform administration.
- ability to set long-term goals and effectively implement complex manufacturing strategies across multiple sites.
*what you'll do*
- *strategic planning & execution*:directly support the mp&l director in defining and executing the long-term mp&l strategy, translating vision into actionable plans, including the development and tracking of x-matrices and other strategic frameworks.
- *project leadership & modernization*:coordinate and drive the progression of high-impact mp&l modernization projects, ensuring timely completion and alignment with strategic objectives across cross-functional teams.
- *operational excellence & process optimization*:
- serve as the mp&l business lead for critical initiatives, such as ford's carte porte requirements, ensuring compliance and seamless integration with new carrier setups and ford it.
- champion change management for new system launches (e.g., ford's new model planning (mmp) system) and process improvements, particularly concerning cross-border operations and customs.
- lead on-site gembas (go and see activities), including rack inspections for transportation optimization, to identify and eliminate process waste, driving significant efficiency gains.
- *data digitalization & visibility*:lead the transformation of north american cross-border milestone data digitalization, integrating feeds from third-party customs providers (e.g., exl) into ford's systems (blue yonder) to establish end-to-end supply chain visibility and enhance border tracking capabilities.
- *executive support & communication*:coordinate and prepare for critical weekly executive meetings (e.g., strategic approval reviews, modernization updates) for the north american mp&l director, ensuring all materials are precise and impactful.
manage executive approvals for travel, purchase orders, and business cases with meticulous attention to detail.
- *ad-hoc strategic initiatives*:proactively assist with various ad-hoc strategic initiatives and special projects that arise throughout the year, demonstrating adaptability and a results-oriented approach.