Manufacturing Operations Manager

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing daily production activities to ensure that overall quality, efficiency, on-time delivery, and safety with emphasis on planning, coordinating, and directing the production of electronic, mechanical, electro-mechanical sub-assemblies, assemblies, and system-level products that meet established standards in regulated market segments. This role leads cross-functional teams, develops operational processes, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to meet organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Lead the development and implementation of activities in production area(s) to meet production goals, quality, and cost objectives. 
• Direct and monitor day-to-day manufacturing operations in a Low-Medium Volume/High-Mix environment to meet production schedules and customer requirements.
• Allocate labor, equipment, and materials effectively to maintain optimal workflow.

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage, mentor, and develop supervisors and production teams.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support employee development plans.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement process improvement methodologies including Lean, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM) and Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) and associated process improvement tools including Mapping Tools, Problem Solving Tools, Process Analysis Tools, and Implementation Tools.
• Reduce waste, improve cycle times, and increase productivity.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for manufacturing optimization.

Quality & Safety

• Ensure adherence to quality, regulatory, and safety standards.
• Ensure compliance with corporate quality standards, regulatory requirements, and ISO/industry guidelines.
• Partner with Quality and Safety teams to address deviations, corrective actions, and preventive measures.
• Maintain a safe work environment by enforcing policies and conducting audits.

Resource & Cost Management

• Manage applicable budgets, monitor operating costs, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Oversee procurement and inventory control of production needs while minimizing excess.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance to ensure equipment uptime, performance, and utilization.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Logistics teams to align operations with business goals.
• Support new product introductions (NPI) and process validations.
• Communicate production status and KPIs to senior leadership

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time delivery (OTD)
• Production throughput & efficiency
• First-pass yield & quality metrics
• Cost per unit / operational cost reduction
• Downtime
• Customer Returns Rate
• Employee engagement and turnover rates 
• Safety performance (TRIR, lost time incidents)

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in a low-medium volume/high-mix manufacturing operations with 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience in Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) industry or applicable production of electronic, mechanical, electro-mechanical sub-assemblies, assemblies, and system-level products experience preferred.
• This position requires access to export-controlled technology and data. Applicants for this position must be a "U.S. Person" as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Skills, Competencies & Work Environment

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, and process improvement methodologies.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP Systems, MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), PLM (Product Lifecyle Management) Systems, and data-driven decision-making.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment.
• This position is a “hands-on” role in both the manufacturing floor and office environments.