FPS Value Stream Mapping Specialist

We are seeking a highly skilled Lean Academy and Value Stream Mapping (VSM) Leader to spearhead the development and implementation of Lean methodologies across our manufacturing facilities and diverse skill teams. We are seeking a highly motivated **Value Stream Mapping (VSM) Specialist** to support manufacturing teams in identifying waste, improving process flow, and enabling continuous improvement. The VSM Specialist will work directly with plant operations, engineering, quality, and cross-functional teams to map current-state processes, design future-state value streams, and drive implementation of improvement actions. This role is ideal for an early-career Lean practitioner looking to deepen their expertise and contribute to high‑impact operational improvement initiatives across Ford manufacturing sites. ### Responsibilities **What you'll do...** **Value Stream Mapping** - Conduct current-state and future-state Value Stream Mapping events at the process, department, and system levels. - Document material and information flow, identify bottlenecks, and highlight improvement opportunities. - Support teams in developing actionable implementation plans based on VSM outcomes. **Continuous Improvement & Kaizen Support** - Assist in planning and facilitating kaizen workshops focused on quality, productivity, flow, safety, and standardization. - Partner with operations teams to execute improvement actions identified through VSM and kaizen events. - Track progress, remove roadblocks, and report results to leadership. **Data Analysis & Process Support** - Collect and analyze process data to validate improvement needs and measure impact. - Support manufacturing teams with Lean tools such as 5S, standard work, problem-solving, and visual management. - Maintain documentation and sustainment plans for continuous improvement activities. **Collaboration & Communication** - Work closely with plant leadership, engineers, team leaders, and other stakeholders Communicate findings clearly through presentations, reports, and visual tools. Uphold Lean principles and assist in strengthening the continuous improvement culture across sites. ### Qualifications **You'll have...** - Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science, Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field. - Strong knowledge of Lean principles with foundational experience in Value Stream Mapping. - 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment. - Ability to analyze processes, interpret data, and identify improvement opportunities. - Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills. - Willingness to travel up to 50–65% to support multiple Ford manufacturing sites. **Even better, you may have...** - 3 years of experience in an automotive manufacturing environment. - Exposure to Lean tools such as 5S, kaizen, standard work, and root cause analysis. - Experience participating in or co-facilitating VSM or kaizen events. - Lean certification (Yellow Belt or Green Belt) is a plus. - Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio (or similar mapping tools). - 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 of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including: • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatment…