Manufacturing Operations Manager

Engineering Leader Position Summary The Engineering Leader provides strategic and tactical leadership across all manufacturing and technical operations within a high-mix, low-to-medium volume Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) environment. This role is accountable for operational excellence across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP) , ensuring scalable processes, optimized asset utilization, and predictable performance. This position requires deep EMS domain expertise, advanced production planning knowledge, and demonstrated success in lean enterprise deployment. The Engineering Leader drives continuous improvement through structured tiered management, quality system adherence, and disciplined execution of production schedules.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead recruitment, development, succession planning, and retention strategies to build a high-performance organization.
• Coach and mentor the engineering and technical teams to become self-starting, self-sufficient, and proactive contributors.
• Establish clear performance expectations tied to measurable SQDCP metrics and conduct structured, data-driven evaluations.
• Develop frontline leaders through daily Gemba engagement and formal leadership development initiatives.
• Implement tiered daily management (Tier 1–Tier 3) to drive accountability, rapid escalation, and cross-functional alignment.
• Oversee direct reports managing manufacturing, SMT, test, box build, and materials operations.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Operational & Technical Excellence
• Drive production planning excellence through optimized use of JobPack and ERP systems to improve schedule adherence and capacity balance.
• Maximize SMT line utilization and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) through capacity modeling, setup reduction (SMED), and real-time monitoring.
• Lead labor productivity initiatives using standard work, line balancing, and takt-time alignment.
• Deploy and sustain lean manufacturing principles including value stream mapping, 5S, visual management, and Kaizen events.
• Ensure technical understanding of machinery both mechanically and electrically to troubleshoot complex manufacturing issues.
• Implement structured root cause analysis (8D, A3, DMAIC) for operational disruptions and quality escapes.
• New Product Introduction (NPI) & Engineering Support
• Partner closely with engineering teams to improve DFM/DFA alignment, NPI readiness, and smooth product launches.
• Work directly with customer engineering groups to improve designs and enhance manufacturing processes.
• Lead DFM/DFT programs to support robust quotation processes and ensure quality, reliability, and cost management.
• Provide technical assessment and DFM inputs in support of comprehensive and accurate quotations.
• Strategic Planning & Compliance
• Assist in researching industry trends and establishing a technology roadmap to maintain a competitive advantage.
• Lead capital planning efforts including justification, layout optimization, and ROI analysis for new SMT and automation technologies.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and certification requirements including ISO 9001, ISO 13485, AS9100D, and ITAR standards.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets, cost controls, and margin improvement initiatives.

Qualifications Required Skills/Abilities

• Strong executive-level leadership, communication, and change management skills.
• Advanced understanding of high-mix EMS manufacturing including SMT, through-hole, test, and box build operations.
• Expertise in production planning systems, capacity modeling, and ERP/MRP tools.
• Deep knowledge of lean manufacturing systems and tiered daily management structures.
• Proficiency in CAD tools and Microsoft Office Suite.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field is required.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, specifically within the EMS industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, regulated manufacturing environments.