Payne joined Ford Otosan as Ford Otosan Craiova President after the transfer of ownership of the Craiova Plant from Ford of Europe to Ford Otosan in 2022.
She graduated from the University of Southampton’s Electronic Engineering Department, and she received her master’s degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Karlsruhe. She joined Ford of Europe in 1996 and, through 2013, held many manufacturing responsibilities in Liverpool, Cologne and Dunton. She served as Global Powertrain Assembly Manager in Ford North of America between 2013 and 2017. She returned to Ford of Europe as Production Area Manager (Dagenham) in 2017. Payne, who was appointed as Craiova Engine Plant Manager in 2018, held the positions of Assistant Plant Manager – Craiova Vehicle Operations and Ford Romania President & Craiova Site Director in Ford Romania between 2018-2022. As of May 1, 2023; she is the Deputy General Manager of Ford Otosan.