Leadership Moves
Francesco Ciancia returns to lead Stellantis global production
Stellantis has appointed Francesco Ciancia as Global Head of Manufacturing, reuniting with an executive whose international experience in lean production and transformation will shape its future operations.
Stellantis has called back one of its own to lead its global manufacturing strategy. On 1 November, Francesco Ciancia will assume the role of Global Head of Manufacturing and join the Stellantis Leadership Team in Amsterdam. The appointment marks his return to a company where he had built much of his career before departing for Mercedes-Benz in 2022.
Ciancia brings more than twenty years of experience in manufacturing engineering, plant management and the application of lean production methods. His new remit places him at the centre of Stellantis’s ambition to streamline and strengthen production worldwide.
I’m delighted to welcome Francesco back to our ranks and as a member of our Leadership Team. His new role as Head of Global Manufacturing will be critical to our future success, as we move relentlessly to take the consistency, efficiency and competitiveness of our production processes worldwide to new levels
Experience across global networks
Before rejoining Stellantis, Ciancia was Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans Operations in Stuttgart, where he initiated the transformation of its production network. His tenure at Mercedes-Benz underscored his ability to manage complex restructuring while aligning manufacturing with strategic goals.
Prior to that, Ciancia spent two decades rising through the ranks of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and later Stellantis. His responsibilities ranged from managing the Kragujevac plant in Serbia to overseeing manufacturing for Latin America. He later led production for Maserati and the premium brands across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, giving him a broad vantage point across regions and segments.
Strategic expectations from leadership
The appointment reflects Stellantis’ focus on reinforcing its manufacturing backbone amid intensifying competition. Chief executive Antonio Filosa emphasised the significance of the move. “I’m delighted to welcome Francesco back to our ranks and as a member of our Leadership Team.
"His new role as Head of Global Manufacturing will be critical to our future success, as we move relentlessly to take the consistency, efficiency and competitiveness of our production processes worldwide to new levels,” he said. Ciancia himself framed the task ahead as both an operational and cultural challenge. “I’m excited and energized to rejoin Stellantis and contribute to this new momentum,” he noted. “Manufacturing is at the heart of the Company’s operations, and I look forward to working with the teams around the world to seize the improvement opportunities we have ahead of us.”
Manufacturing at the core
Ciancia’s return underscores the strategic weight that Stellantis places on manufacturing as a competitive advantage. With his mix of experience in luxury and mass production, across developed and emerging markets, he enters the role at a pivotal moment. Stellantis’s global scale demands not only efficiency but also resilience, as production networks face technological change, electrification and supply chain disruption.
The new appointment signals a commitment to continuity as well as renewal. By drawing on leadership tested both inside and outside the group, Stellantis is betting on a steady but ambitious hand to advance its global production system.
