Head of Internal Factory

About the Company

FORVIA HELLA is an internationally listed automotive supplier and part of the FORVIA Group. The business is known for high-performance lighting technology and vehicle electronics, and through its Lifecycle Solutions division it also provides a broad range of products and services for spare parts, workshop operations, and special-purpose vehicle manufacturers. The company employs about 36,500 people across more than 125 sites worldwide and reported adjusted sales of €8.1 billion in fiscal year 2024.

Role Overview

The Head of Internal Factory is a senior manufacturing leadership position based in Auckland, New Zealand. The role carries full responsibility for production performance and requires a strong focus on safety, quality, delivery, cost efficiency, people development, and continuous improvement. You will lead a complex manufacturing operation and help embed world-class manufacturing practices across the plant.

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will oversee the full manufacturing flow, from production planning and order fulfilment through to on-time delivery. You will collaborate closely with teams across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, HR, and other stakeholders to improve results and build sustainable business performance.

A major part of the role is to strengthen a high-performance culture by implementing the FORVIA Excellence System (FES), advancing operational excellence, and supporting long-term competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee complete manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, product quality, cost control, delivery performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Implement and sustain FORVIA Excellence System (FES) practices while promoting a continuous improvement mindset across the factory.
• Improve productivity, efficiency, and profitability by managing capacity, resources, budgets, and production processes effectively.
• Lead, coach, and grow teams through capability development, performance management, succession planning, and hands-on leadership.
• Work with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and HR to deliver improvement projects and support new product and process launches.
• Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety, environmental obligations, and relevant regulations while reinforcing accountability and improvement.

Requirements

• A tertiary qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a similar field.
• Proven leadership experience in a demanding and complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement methods.
• Practical experience introducing production systems and achieving measurable performance gains.
• Track record of leading large teams through organisational change and transformation.
• Strong commercial judgment, including budget ownership and operational performance management.
• Excellent ability to manage stakeholders and lead across functions.
• A practical, hands-on leadership approach with the ability to influence, coach, and motivate people.

Why Join Us

• Take ownership of a vital function in a globally recognised manufacturing organisation.
• Lead meaningful transformation and improvement across operations.
• Be part of a collaborative, high-performing leadership team.
• Help shape plant strategy and future manufacturing capability.
• The company values employee growth and supports development opportunities even if candidates do not meet every requirement.
• FORVIA HELLA promotes inclusion and diversity and welcomes applications from all interested candidates regardless of ethnicity, social background, age, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or identity.

Application Notes

Applicants are asked to submit their application through the company career portal and include salary expectations and earliest possible start date. The reference number for this role is req18367.

Employer: HELLA New Zealand Ltd.

Contact name listed: Dheepti Jayasimha.

Additional Information

Even if your background does not match every stated requirement, you are encouraged to apply because employee development is a strong priority for the organisation.