Plant Manager

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations within an electronics and electromechanical assembly environment. This hands-on leadership role is responsible for driving production efficiency, maintaining quality and safety standards, developing manufacturing teams, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.The ideal candidate brings demonstrated manufacturing leadership experience, a strong understanding of electromechanical assembly processes, and practical experience implementing Lean manufacturing principles, including 5S, Standardized Work, Lean Daily Management, and Setup Reduction (SMED).

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Operations

• Oversee daily production operations, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are achieved.
• Direct manufacturing activities involving electronic and electromechanical assemblies, including PCBAs, cable and wire harnesses, box builds, and system integration.
• Manage production schedules, labor allocation, capacity planning, and resource utilization to meet customer demand.
• Collaborate with Planning, Purchasing, and Materials teams to maintain efficient production workflows.
• Monitor manufacturing performance, including labor efficiency, scrap, overtime, productivity, and on-time delivery.
• Identify production bottlenecks and implement solutions to improve throughput and operational efficiency.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, team leads, assemblers, and technicians.
• Establish performance expectations, conduct employee evaluations, and support training and professional development.
• Oversee workforce planning, cross-training, and skills development to maintain operational flexibility.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, employee engagement, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Maintain an active presence on the manufacturing floor to support employees, resolve issues, and reinforce operational standards.

Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Implement and sustain Lean manufacturing practices, including 5S, Standardized Work, Lean Daily Management, and SMED.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving productivity, and optimizing manufacturing processes.
• Utilize performance metrics, visual management tools, and root cause analysis to drive operational improvements.
• Support process improvements involving changeover reduction, workflow optimization, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Develop and deliver training to strengthen Lean manufacturing practices across production teams.

Quality, Safety & Engineering Collaboration

• Partner with Quality Engineering to improve first-pass yield, reduce defects, and minimize rework.
• Support compliance with applicable IPC workmanship standards, ESD requirements, and ISO 9001 quality systems.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives to address production-related quality issues.
• Maintain compliance with OSHA regulations and company environmental, health, and safety procedures.
• Collaborate with Engineering on new product introductions, manufacturing process improvements, equipment requirements, and production layouts.
• Support preventive maintenance, tooling improvements, and equipment optimization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 7+ years of manufacturing experience, including 5+ years in electronics or electromechanical assembly environments.
• Minimum 3 years of demonstrated manufacturing leadership experience, including direct supervision of production personnel, preferably within electronics or electromechanical assembly.
• Experience leading production teams of 25 or more preferred.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and training teams in 5S, Standardized Work, Lean Daily Management, and SMED.
• Working knowledge of electronic assembly processes, including PCBAs, cable and wire harnesses, box builds, and system integration.
• Familiarity with IPC workmanship standards, ESD controls, and ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, bills of materials (BOMs), and manufacturing work instructions.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining production schedules, quality standards, and operational efficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
• Training Within Industry (TWI) certification or related experience.
• Experience with value stream mapping, kanban systems, one-piece flow, and cellular manufacturing.
• Background in high-mix, low-to-medium-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience with new product introduction (NPI), design for manufacturability (DFM), and manufacturing process optimization.

Work Environment

• Full-time, exempt position based on-site in a manufacturing facility.
• Day shift with flexibility to support additional shifts as needed.
• Regular presence on the production floor, including extended periods of standing and walking.
• Compliance with applicable safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), and electrostatic discharge (ESD) requirements.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 35 pounds.
• Occasional off-shift, weekend, or travel availability may be required.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing leader who combines technical knowledge of electronics and electromechanical assembly with strong people management and continuous improvement expertise. This individual is comfortable working directly on the production floor, coaching employees, improving processes, and using performance metrics to drive measurable results.Success in this role requires a proactive leader who can balance daily production demands with long-term operational improvements while building a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and teamwork.