Production ManagerJob Purpose
The Production Manager provides strategic direction and hands-on operational leadership across the plant's production environment. Managing full end-to-end execution-from production planning through manufacturing, testing, warehousing, and shipment-this role ensures top-tier product quality, cost control, safe operations, and on-time customer delivery.
The ideal candidate combines strong technical manufacturing expertise (PCBA, SMT, electro-mechanical assembly) with system-driven execution, continuous process improvement, and change leadership to drive high-performing, multi-shift teams in fast-paced NPI and production environments.
Core Responsibilities
1. Operations & Strategic Leadership
- Operational Execution: Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across all assigned areas for multi-shift execution, including shift handovers, capacity allocation, work order assignments, and performance monitoring.
- Strategic & Financial Planning: Partner with executive leadership and program management to establish long-term operational goals, performance targets, financial plans, direct/indirect labor budgets, and capital expenditure (CapEx) recommendations.
- Culture & Change Management: Foster a culture of safety, accountability, respect, open communication, and high performance while driving modern manufacturing methodologies across a diverse workforce.
2. Production Planning, Scheduling & NPI Execution
- Master Execution: Establish and manage daily, weekly, and monthly build plans and Estimated Completion Dates (ECDs) for backlog and new orders based on material availability, priorities, and capacity.
- New Product Introduction (NPI): Lead production operations through NPI/prototype build phases, bridging engineering transfer to full-volume production, ensuring DFM/DFT alignment, and mitigating ramp-up risks.
- Resource Optimization: Prioritize schedules around product introduction timelines, equipment efficiency, and material flows in high/low mix environments.
- Cross-Functional Scheduling: Coordinate critical test equipment and facilities (e.g., vibration test stands, environmental chambers, test suites) across Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance.
- Progress Reporting: Track schedule execution against key milestones, institute real-time course corrections, and deliver weekly schedule/status updates to internal leadership and external clients.
- Material Flow: Partner with Purchasing, Stockroom, and Planning to ensure kits, components, and sub-assemblies are delivered to the floor on time to streamline throughput and eliminate floor constraints.
3. Process Improvement, Quality & Certifications
- Lean/Six Sigma Leadership: Lead gap analyses, cycle time reductions, yield improvements, and workflow optimizations using Lean/Six Sigma and statistical methods.
- Quality Standards & Workmanship: Ensure all floor assembly and manufacturing activities adhere strictly to ANSI J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 Class 2 & 3 IPC inspection standards.
- QMS & Environmental Compliance: Guarantee compliance with corporate quality systems and industry standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, TL 9000, AS9100, ISO 13485 (where applicable), ITAR, and environmental safety management systems.
- Technology & Process Integration: Implement corporate process controls, integrate new manufacturing technologies, and oversee the development and documentation of standardized work instructions.
4. People Management & Organizational Capability
- Staffing & Capacity: Direct manpower planning, shift assignments, and overtime authorizations within budget guidelines in partnership with HR.
- Team Development: Select, train, coach, and mentor production supervisors and floor teams to expand technical capabilities, ensure IPC workmanship standards compliance, and build succession depth.
- Contract & Order Reviews: Participate in contract reviews for new orders and NPI programs to ensure production capability and readiness.
Key Performance Metrics (KPIs)
- On-Time Delivery (OTD) & Schedule Adherence
- Production Yields, First-Pass Yield (FPY), & IPC Quality Adherence
- NPI Time-to-Market & Ramp Yield Success
- Capacity Utilization & Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- Labor Efficiency, Productivity, and Overtime Budget Adherence
- Safety Record & Regulatory/QMS Audit Performance
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
- Experience: Minimum 15 years of direct, hands-on experience in manufacturing operations, production supervision, process engineering, or materials management.
- NPI Expertise: Proven hands-on experience driving New Product Introduction (NPI) and prototype builds, managing the transition from engineering release to volume production.
- Industry Domain: Proven experience in electronic contract manufacturing (EMS), high-tech, printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), and complex electro-mechanical systems integration in high/low mix environments.
- Standards & Certifications Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding and operational application of:
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management) & ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
- TL 9000 (Telecommunications QMS)
- Workmanship standards ANSI J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610, Class 2 & 3
- Technical Depth: Expert knowledge of SMT processes (reflow, wave soldering), through-hole/press-fit technology, process development, and manufacturing equipment capabilities.
- Systems Proficiency: Strong experience using tier-1 ERP/MRP platforms (e.g., Oracle, SAP) to support production flow and execution.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Electronics Engineering (or a related discipline). An Associate degree (AS) or Electronics Technician certification with equivalent high-level experience will be considered.
- Communication: Full professional proficiency in written and spoken English with strong presentation and interdepartmental facilitation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt continuous improvement certification.
- Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) or Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) in IPC-A-610 / J-STD-001.
- Direct experience managing multi-shift operations.
- Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 13485, or ITAR environments.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
- Active presence on the manufacturing floor, subject to standard shop-floor noise and operational conditions.
- Ability to support multi-shift operations and work extended hours as necessary to meet customer schedules and NPI launch deadlines.
- Capability to analyze operational data, synthesize performance metrics, and deliver formal reports to executive management and key customers.
