Manufacturing Operations Manager – Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS / PCBA)

Manufacturing Operations Manager – Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS / PCBA)

Location: Seymour, CT

Position Type: Full-Time

Department: Manufacturing Operations & Technical Leadership

Industry: Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) / Contract Manufacturing

Position Overview

The Manufacturing Operations Manager provides strategic and tactical leadership across all plant manufacturing, engineering, and technical operations within a high-mix, low-to-medium volume Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) facility. Accountable for operational excellence across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP), this leader drives predictable execution, maximizes asset utilization, and builds scalable production processes.

The role pairs deep EMS technical domain expertise with advanced capacity planning and Lean enterprise deployment. Through structured tiered management, disciplined schedule adherence, and rigorous quality system compliance, the Manufacturing Operations Manager ensures sustained margin growth, operational reliability, and customer satisfaction.

Leadership & Team Management

• Direct, develop, and retain high-performing operational and technical teams through proactive succession planning, coaching, and talent management.
  

• Mentor manufacturing engineers, technical staff, and frontline production supervisors to foster a culture of proactive, self-directed ownership.
  

• Define and manage operational benchmarks aligned with SQDCP metrics, conducting structured, data-driven performance evaluations.
  

• Develop frontline leadership capabilities through daily Gemba walks, active floor coaching, and structured development initiatives.
  

• Drive accountability and rapid problem resolution by implementing and facilitating tiered daily management systems (Tier 1–Tier 3).
  

• Oversee leaders and supervisors across SMT production, through-hole assembly, testing, mechanical box build, and inventory/materials management.
  

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Operational & Technical Excellence:
  

  • Lead production planning and master scheduling using ERP/MRP and manufacturing scheduling platforms (e.g., JobPack) to maintain schedule adherence and optimize line capacity balance.
    

  • Drive high SMT line utilization and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) through capacity modeling, Single-Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) setup reduction, and live floor telemetry.
    

  • Boost direct labor productivity via standard work implementation, line balancing, and takt-time alignment.
    

  • Lead the deployment and sustainment of Lean enterprise tools: Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 5S, visual management boards, and cross-functional Kaizen events.
    

  • Apply hands-on electro-mechanical troubleshooting to diagnose and resolve complex automation and line machinery failures.
    

  • Direct structured root cause corrective action investigations (8D, A3, DMAIC) for scrap issues, line downtime, and customer escapes.
    

• New Product Introduction (NPI) & Design Optimization:
  

  • Partner closely with internal engineering teams to ensure robust Design-for-Manufacturability (DFM) and Design-for-Assembly (DFA) alignment during the NPI ramp cycle.
    

  • Engage directly with customer engineering teams to resolve manufacturability challenges and improve PCBA layouts for volume manufacturing.
    

  • Oversee DFM/DFT analysis to support accurate quoting, reliable tooling design, and production margin protection.
    

  • Provide technical evaluation of incoming customer design packages to optimize manufacturing flow and cost baselines.
    

• Strategic Planning, Capital Projects & Regulatory Compliance:
  

  • Track advanced EMS manufacturing trends and collaborate on building an equipment and technology roadmap to preserve competitive advantage.
    

  • Lead capital expenditure (CapEx) initiatives for new SMT platforms, automated optical/X-ray systems, and robotic cells, including capacity justification, factory floor layout, and ROI analysis.
    

  • Maintain operational adherence to certified quality management and regulatory frameworks: ISO 9001, ISO 13485 (Medical), AS9100D (Aerospace/Defense), and ITAR compliance.
    

  • Develop and manage operational operating budgets, overhead cost controls, and margin enhancement strategies.
    

Qualifications & Experience Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline required.
  

• Industry Experience:
  

  • Minimum 8 to 10 years of progressive operational and engineering leadership experience, specifically within the Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) / PCBA industry.
    

  • Extensive track record leading complex manufacturing operations within highly regulated sectors (e.g., Aerospace, Defense, Medical Devices).
    

• Technical & Manufacturing Acumen:
  

  • Advanced understanding of full-lifecycle EMS operations: surface-mount technology (SMT), pin-through-hole (PTH), conformal coating, box build/HLA, and functional test systems.
    

  • Advanced command of production planning methodologies, capacity modeling, and ERP/MRP systems.
    

  • Hands-on proficiency with CAD software and the Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel).
    

• Continuous Improvement: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification strongly preferred, with demonstrated mastery of tiered shop-floor management, continuous improvement, and waste reduction.
  

• Core Competencies: Executive-level communication, decisive change management leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to operate under time-sensitive customer deadlines.