Production Manager

Production Manager

Job 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.