Dirk Willmann (pictured) has replaced Matthias Schulz as director of material, planning and logistics (MP&L) at Ford of Europe. As announced last month, Schulz has moved to a new role as director of North American MP&L operations replacing Pamela Stec, who has retired.

Willmann was previously production and material planning manager at Ford of Europe.

During his 22 years in the automotive industry he has held various management positions, mainly in MP&L.

In his current role he is responsible for the development of operating plans for the delivery of vehicle and engines at a volume of 1.5m vehicles and 2.5m engines per year, covering all nine of Ford Europe’s vehicle plants, as well as its five powertrain plants in the region.

Amongst his achievements at Ford, Willmann has played a leading role in cross-functional teams on global process re-engineering projects across all four business units, according to the company.

He has also managed the diesel-engine joint venture with the French PSA Peugeot-Citroën group.