Head of Internal Factory (M/F/D)

Location Auckland, New Zealand

FORVIA HELLA is a listed international automotive supplier. As a company of the FORVIA Group, FORVIA HELLA stands for high-performance lighting technology and vehicle electronics and, with the Lifecycle Solutions Business Group, also covers a broad service and product portfolio for the spare parts and workshop business as well as for manufacturers of special vehicles. With currently around 36,500 employees at over 125 locations, the Company is active worldwide and generated adjusted sales of €8.1 billion in fiscal year 2024.

YOUR TASKS

Lead Manufacturing Excellence. Drive Performance. Develop People.

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven manufacturing leader to join our team as Head of Internal Factory. This is a critical leadership position responsible for the overall performance of our production operations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products safely, efficiently, and on time while driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a complex manufacturing environment where you will have full accountability for production performance, people leadership, quality outcomes, cost management, and the successful deployment of world-class manufacturing practices.

About The Role

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will be responsible for leading end-to-end manufacturing operations, from production planning and order execution through to delivery performance. You will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, HR and other key stakeholders to optimise performance and deliver sustainable business results.

A key focus of this role will be embedding a high-performance culture through the deployment of the FORVIA Excellence System (FES), driving continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring operational competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end manufacturing operations to deliver exceptional performance across safety, quality, cost, delivery, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive operational excellence through the deployment of FORVIA Excellence System (FES) principles and a strong continuous improvement culture.
• Optimise production resources, capacity, budgets, and processes to improve productivity, efficiency, and profitability.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams through coaching, capability building, performance management, and succession planning.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and HR to deliver cross-functional improvement initiatives and support new product and process introductions.
• Champion workplace health, safety, environmental compliance, and regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Your Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or a related discipline.
• Proven leadership experience within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and operational excellence principles.
• Experience implementing production systems and driving measurable performance improvements.
• Demonstrated success leading large teams through change and transformation.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, productivity and operational performance.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• A hands-on leadership style with the ability to influence, coach and motivate teams.

Why Join Us?

• Lead a critical function within a globally recognised manufacturing organisation.
• Opportunity to drive meaningful operational transformation and continuous improvement.
• Work within a collaborative and high-performing leadership team.
• Influence plant strategy and shape future manufacturing capability.
• If you are a passionate manufacturing leader who thrives on driving operational excellence, developing people and delivering results, we would love to hear from you.

Even if you do not meet all our requirements, do not hesitate to apply to us, because the further development of our employees is very important to us and opens up a wide range of opportunities for you in our company.

Forvia HELLA stands for the variety of all employees. Inclusion and diversity are firmly anchored in our company culture. We are continuously looking for new team players and welcome applications from all interested parties, regardless of their ethical and social background, age, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or identity.

Please send us your application via our career portal, stating your salary requirements and earliest possible starting date, with the reference number req18367.

HELLA New Zealand Ltd.

Dheepti Jayasimha