Richard Chavez

About Richard Chavez

Interactional, servant leader.Globally mobile, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with 20+ years of global automotive manufacturing leadership, directing enterprise-scale initiatives, architecting scalable production systems, and leading complex greenfield launches for flagship vehicle programs across both EV and combustion platforms.Proven record of building high-performance organizations, aligning cross-functional operations, and driving program-level execution from concept through production readiness. Successfully launched six full vehicle platforms and twelve tophats, including advanced EV architectures, structural battery systems, and modular manufacturing lines.Selected by four global OEMs: Toyota, Mazda, Tesla, and Ford to lead enterprise strategy, program development, and systems execution across greenfield sites, delivering full lifecycle leadership from capital planning and tooling procurement to workforce development and mass production ramp-up.Trusted to operate at the intersection of enterprise transformation, engineering strategy, and launch execution balancing day-one readiness with future-state scalability across multi-shop, cross-functional environments.Key Leadership in Global Flagship & Greenfield Launch Programs:• Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (2005)• Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (2020)• Tesla Giga Factory Texas (2022)• Ford BlueOval City – Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center (Present)Recognized for delivering end-to-end manufacturing and engineering execution systems from portfolio-level planning and vendor engagement to infrastructure development, staffing strategy, and training system implementation. Skilled at converting business strategy into high-performance, sustainable operations.Brings advanced expertise in Engineering Strategy, Operational Excellence, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma (DMAIC), and the Toyota Production System (TPS). I hold credentials in Project Management, TPM, Quality, and Kaizen, including certifications in Lean Six Sigma as a Master Black Belt, a Six Sigma Champion, and Ford\'s Team Manager Academy. Currently completing M.I.T.\'s Systems Engineering Professional Certification Program. Also have a deep capability in capital project oversight, supplier negotiations, and enterprise-level integration across tooling, systems, and launch programs.A committed servant leader with a strong personal code of ethics, known for execution discipline, systems thinking, and empowering cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable transformation and long-term value.

Experience

1. Team Manager - Final Assembly Launch Vehicle Manufacturing Strategy & Operations

   Ford Motor Company

   Dec 2023 — Present · Memphis, TN, US

   Strategic manufacturing leader driving end-to-end readiness and execution for Ford’s most ambitious North American greenfield program: the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center (TEVC). Oversee early-phase program development, factory readiness, and systems launch planning across Final Assembly within a multi-billion-dollar EV production site-Key Responsibilities & Impact-• Led launch execution for trim and chassis lines, including PFMEA, build strategy, and line design integration• Deployed standardized launch tools (Strategic Launch Plan) adopted across TEVC • Aligned manufacturing and program milestones across Engineering, Quality, and Global Launch teams• Supported vendor buyoffs and tooling validations, driving manufacturability on conveyors and robotics• Built performance systems for salaried leaders coaching plans, milestone tracking, and readiness metrics• Drove production feasibility inputs for cadence planning, layout validation, and training allocation-Notable Contributions-• Hosted global director visits presented manufacturing readiness and risk mitigation strategy• Created “Plan for Every Person” system to align workforce capability with launch targets• Cross-trained at Ford benchmark sites and OEMs to transfer best practices into TEVC operations

Education

• Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

  Bachelors of Business Administration - BBA, Management and Operations

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Professional Certification, Systems Engineering

• Brackenridge High School

  High School Diploma, Foreign Languages and Literatures, General

• Palo Alto College

  Associate's degree, Associate of Arts in Business Management and Administration

  2019 — 2021

• Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, International Business