Head of Product and Process Industrialization (PPI)

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2021, Continental generated sales of €33.8 billion and currently employs more than 190,000 people in 58 countries and markets. On October 8, 2021, the company celebrated its 150th anniversary. The ContiTech group sector develops and manufactures, for example, cross-material, environmentally friendly and intelligent products and systems for the automotive industry, railway engineering, mining, agriculture and other key industries. Guided by the vision of “smart and sustainable solutions beyond rubber,” the group sector draws on its long-standing knowledge of the industry and materials to open up new business opportunities by combining various materials with electronic components and individual services.

Mission of the Position

The Head of Product & Process Industrialization is responsible for planning, coordinating, and controlling all industrialization activities to ensure the successful launch and optimization of products and processes. The role focuses on achieving budget, quality, and production targets by improving efficiency (e.g., reducing scrap, waste, and cycle times) and ensuring operational readiness.

In addition, this position drives continuous improvement by developing and implementing structured action plans to enhance all product and process industrialization activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Management

  • Lead, manage, and coordinate all product and process industrialization activities within the plant or operations unit.
  • Develop team capabilities through coaching, performance management, and structured personnel development.

• Industrialization Strategy & Execution

  • Translate business, project, and product requirements into actionable plant-level impacts (e.g., investment needs, capacity, and capabilities).
  • Assess plant readiness for new product launches and process changes, ensuring alignment with operational targets.

• Planning & Performance

  • Contribute to both strategic and operational planning, including investment, capacity, and headcount planning.
  • Ensure delivery of industrialization targets in line with internal KPIs and external customer expectations.

• Investment & Tooling

  • Plan, justify, and implement investments for product- and project-specific tooling and equipment (e.g., molds, mandrels, jigs, gauges), ensuring compliance with standards and timelines.

• Continuous Improvement

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives using CBS (or equivalent) methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and cost performance.
  • Promote a culture of operational excellence through training and capability building.

• Stakeholder Management

  • Act as the key interface with  Business Area (BA) / Sector functions to capture requirements, align priorities, and provide feedback.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless industrialization across the value chain.

• Project Leadership

  • Lead or actively participate in global and local industrialization projects, including cross-functional initiatives.
  • Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational objectives.

Profile Requirements

Education / Certification

• University degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering  or a related technical discipline
• Advanced or specialized certifications are considered an advantage, depending on plant complexity and scope

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in process engineering or industrialization-related roles
• Proven cross-functional experience across areas such as Engineering, Quality, Production, or Continuous Improvement (e.g., CBS)
• Broad exposure to manufacturing environments, preferably in automotive or similar industries

Project and Process Experience

• Strong, hands-on experience in rubber and plastic production processes
• Demonstrated track record in industrialization and ramp-up of new products and processes
• Experience managing complex projects, from concept through series production

Leadership Experience

• Minimum of 5 years in a leadership role within a technical or manufacturing environment
• Experience managing teams with both functional and disciplinary responsibility
• Proven ability to develop, coach, and lead high-performing teams

Intercultural / International Experience

• Experience working in international environments and collaborating with global teams on production-related topics
• Strong cultural awareness and ability to operate effectively across different regions
• Proficiency in at least two languages; English is mandatory.

Nice-to-Have (Optional Enhancement)

• Experience with structured continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., CBS, Lean, Six Sigma)
• Exposure to multi-plant or global production networks

At Continental we are committed to building an inclusive and discrimination-free ecosystem in Mexico, these principles are rooted in our corporate philosophy and culture. Therefore, it is totally forbidden to request a pregnancy or HIV test as part of our selection processes.

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