Accelerated Leadership Development Program – Manufacturing Leadership

Job Description

Accelerated Leadership Program – Manufacturing Leadership | Schaeffler

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Schaeffler, located in Armada, MI, with significant rotational opportunities across North America and potentially internationally. Schaeffler is a global technology company, known for its entrepreneurial spirit and long history of private ownership, partnering with major automobile manufacturers, as well as key players in the aerospace and industrial sectors. This Accelerated Leadership Program is designed to cultivate the next generation of manufacturing leaders within the company. It offers a structured path for ambitious individuals to gain broad cross-departmental exposure and develop critical leadership skills, leading to a guaranteed permanent Production Leader position upon successful graduation.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person – Armada, MI

• Mission: This program prepares high-potential candidates to become impactful Production Leaders by providing extensive cross-departmental exposure through four six-month rotations, coupled with structured leadership training and mentorship.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Office

What You’ll Actually Do
• Mentor Collaboration: Partner closely with an experienced professional engineering manager to actively develop and implement best practices, fostering your growth into a key leader at Schaeffler.
• Cross-Functional Learning: Acquire comprehensive knowledge and practical experience alongside experts in critical manufacturing areas such as production management, quality assurance, continuous improvement methodologies, logistics, and overall plant management.
• Leadership Skill Development: Engage in a robust training framework, including leadership workshops and tools, designed to hone essential leadership skills through a balanced 70:20:10 model of hands-on experience, mentorship, and formal instruction.
• Program Progression: Successfully complete all defined rotation development milestones throughout the two-year program, demonstrating consistent progress and commitment.
• Career Readiness: Equip yourself with the necessary expertise and leadership acumen to seamlessly transition into your guaranteed permanent Production Leader position upon the successful graduation of the program.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Early Career professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in relevant Engineering or Engineering Technology; minimum GPA of 3.0 required. External applicants must be authorized to work in the US without employment visa or other sponsorship.
• Experience: Requires at least two rotations of relevant co-ops or internships. Willingness to relocate every 6 months throughout the North American Region (USA, Mexico, Canada), and potentially internationally, is mandatory.
• Skills: Thorough understanding of engineering principles; excellent organization and communication skills; strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Bonus: Experience in a manufacturing environment (fast-paced preferred); leadership experience or exposure.