Manufacturing Manager

• Own daily performance of assigned production lines, including safety, quality, delivery, labor efficiency, output, scrap, and schedule attainment.
• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, team leads, and direct-labor employees; set clear expectations and reinforce accountability.
• Plan staffing and labor allocation by shift and work center based on demand, skills, capacity, and production priorities; manage overtime and contingent labor responsibly.
• Conduct tiered daily management, production meetings, and floor walks; escalate constraints and ensure timely corrective actions.
• Ensure products are manufactured in accordance with approved procedures, specifications, work instructions, quality-system requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices, and applicable regulations.
• Partner with Quality to investigate nonconformances, implement corrective and preventive actions, maintain traceability, and support audits.
• Partner with Planning and Supply Chain to align schedules, material availability, work-in-process, inventory, and shipment priorities.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering and Maintenance to improve processes, resolve equipment issues, introduce new products, validate processes, and sustain preventive maintenance.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, root-cause analysis, standard work, visual management, and data-based problem solving.
• Monitor and communicate key performance indicators, including safety, first-pass yield, scrap, throughput, on-time delivery, labor efficiency, absenteeism, and training status.
• Ensure employees are trained and qualified for assigned tasks; maintain skills matrices, cross-training plans, and required training records.
• Support employee selection, onboarding, performance management, recognition, attendance administration, and corrective action in partnership with Human Resources.
• Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace; ensure adherence to environmental, health, safety, security, and company policies.
• Develop and manage operating plans and budgets for labor, supplies, tooling, and equipment; identify and deliver productivity and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Perform other duties and support company goals as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive manufacturing experience, including at least 3 years leading supervisors, team leads, or a sizable direct-labor workforce.
• Demonstrated success managing production lines in a low- to medium-volume, high-mix environment; regulated medical-device, aerospace, defense, or similarly controlled manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, labor management, capacity analysis, standard work, inventory control, quality systems, and equipment reliability.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, 5S, value-stream improvement, root-cause analysis, and corrective and preventive action methods.
• Proven ability to lead through change, coach employees, manage competing priorities, and communicate effectively across shifts and functions.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, routers, work instructions, bills of material, and production and quality data.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Word, and Excel experience with manufacturing execution or digital production-management system.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing leadership experience.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification is desirable.

Supervisory Responsibility

Directly manages production supervisors and/or team leads and has overall leadership responsibility for assigned direct-labor employees. Responsibilities include workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance management, recognition, and corrective action.

Working Conditions

This job operates in office, manufacturing, engineering laboratory, and ISO Class 7/8 cleanroom environments. Required personal protective equipment must be worn in controlled environments and cleanrooms.

Work Schedule / Travel

In-person, Monday through Friday, based primarily in Gardner, MA and 20% in Littleton, MA. Flexibility is required to support multiple shifts, production needs, and occasional off-hours issues. Occasional travel of up to 15% may be required, including visits to other company locations.

Other Requirements

Applicants must have U.S. person status.