Title: Manufacturing Manager
Company: Global Power Components - www.globalpowercomponents.com
Location: Milwaukee, WI (onsite 5-days/week)
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Position Summary:Lead the launch and growth of manufacturing operations for GPC's Electrical Equipment Solutions business, including UL891 switchboards and electrical assemblies. This is the hands-on manufacturing leader responsible for establishing the team, processes, facility, production flow, and operating discipline needed to build and scale a configured-to-order operation.
Responsibilities:- Lead manufacturing operations from prototype builds through repeatable production.
- Establish a configured-to-order manufacturing model that can scale as the business grows.
- Recruit, lead, coach, and develop manufacturing employees; set clear expectations and create accountability for safety, quality, delivery, and productivity.
- Lead the development of manufacturing processes, assembly methods, production workflows, and visual work instructions.
- Lead facility planning and oversee the development of production layouts, material flow, logistics, packaging, and transportation methods.
- Lead the selection and implementation of tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and manufacturing infrastructure.
- Partner with engineering to improve manufacturability and convert designs into efficient, repeatable build processes.
- Own prototype execution, production readiness, and the transition of field-assembled products into factory-built solutions.
- Lead the establishment of quality checkpoints, production controls, labor planning, and continuous improvement practices.
- Partner closely with engineering, supply chain, quality, and operations to resolve issues and support product launches.
Required Qualifications:- 8+ years of manufacturing, industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or operations experience.
- Previous people-leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, including coaching, performance expectations, and team development.
- Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes, layouts, workflows, tooling, work instructions, or production systems.
- Experience supporting new-product introduction, production-line launches, or the launch of a new manufacturing operation.
- Ability to work hands-on, make practical decisions with incomplete information, and build structure in a fast-moving environment.
- Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, operations, or a related field; equivalent practical experience will be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:- Manufacturing supervisor with previous manufacturing engineering or industrial engineering experience and a demonstrated desire to grow into a broader manufacturing leadership role.
- Experience establishing or scaling a configured-to-order manufacturing business or product line.
- Experience with electrical assemblies, or power distribution equipment.
- Experience transitioning field-installed work into factory-built assemblies.
- Experience with packaging, logistics, and transportation of large electrical equipment.
- Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.
Success Profile:Technical and Operational- Manufacturing process development and daily execution
- Configured-to-order production
- Facility, workflow, and material-flow design
- Industrialization and assembly optimization
- Tooling, fixtures, work instructions, and production controls
- Product launches and continuous improvement
Leadership and Personal Attributes- People leader who develops employees and builds a strong team
- Ownership mentality and bias for action
- Hands-on, visible leader on the manufacturing floor
- Strong communicator who creates clarity and accountability
- Builder mindset; comfortable creating processes from the ground up
- Collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable with ambiguity
- Resourceful problem solver who balances speed with safety and quality
What Success Looks Like- Launch a safe, disciplined manufacturing operation for Electrical Equipment Solutions.
- Build and develop the initial manufacturing team.
- Establish repeatable configured-to-order processes, workflows, tooling, and quality controls.
- Move prototypes into reliable production while improving safety, quality, delivery, and productivity.
- Create a scalable manufacturing foundation that supports future growth.
