Manufacturing Manager

Career Wise; Butterworth; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Career Wise in Malaysia seeks an experienced Manufacturing Leadership to oversee 3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC operations, ensuring targets, quality, and on-time delivery in Butterworth/Penang. You will drive process improvements, manage Engineering, Planning, and Production, and coordinate NPI and tooling efforts.

The role requires 12–18 years in CNC/mfg, ISO/ASME knowledge, ERP/MRP proficiency, and a proven track record in OTD and inventory optimization.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering.
• 12–18 years CNC machining experience with 5+ years in senior management.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 2768 and ASME Y14.5-2009.
• Proficient in MS Office and ERP/MRP systems for planning and reporting.
• Able to use CAD/CAM (MasterCAM, SolidWorks) at review/approval level.
• Deep understanding of tooling, workholding, and machining strategies for 3–, 4– & 5–axis CNC.
• Experience leading NPI and process validation to production ramp-up.
• Strong production planning, capacity planning, scheduling, inventory management.
• Proven track record improving OTD and inventory turnover.
• Leadership, decision-making, and cross-functional communication.
• Experience managing direct reports who are managers.
• Balance priorities between production, engineering, planning, and customers.
• Analytical and data-driven problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily CNC machining operations (3-, 4-, 5-axis) to meet targets and schedules.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce cycle times and improve OEE.
• Oversee budgeting for labor, tooling, consumables, and maintenance costs.
• Coordinate production planning and scheduling to maximize machine utilization.
• Lead Planning, Engineering, and Production cross-functional collaboration.
• Approve tooling designs, NC programs, and process validations.
• Ensure process documentation, setup sheets, inspection plans, and CAM programs.
• Lead root-cause analysis for complex technical issues.
• Prepare manufacturing performance reports for senior management.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Process improvement

Data-driven decision making

OEE improvement

Education

Diploma or Degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems (SAP/Oracle/Epicor)

CAD/CAM software (MasterCAM/SolidWorks)

MS Office

Job description

1.1 Lead and manage all daily CNC machining operations (3‑, 4‑ & 5‑axis), ensuring production targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules are met.

1.2 Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize process flow, reduce cycle times, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

1.3 Manage manufacturing budget, including labor, tooling, consumables, and maintenance costs to achieve cost-saving targets.

1.4 Oversee production planning and scheduling to maximize machine utilization while minimizing changeover and downtime.

1.5 Supervise and support the Production Manager in executing daily production activities and meeting departmental KPIs.

1.6 Lead and manage the Engineering Department, including:

Process Engineering

NPI (New Product Introduction)

Tooling Design & Selection

CNC Programming (CAM)

Work holding & Fixturing

1.7. Oversee new product introduction (NPI) – ensure smooth transition from Engineering to Production with validated processes, documented work instructions, and proper tooling.

1.8 Approve manufacturing feasibility studies – review customer drawings and specifications; provide technical input on design for manufacturability (DFM).

1.9 Ensure process documentation – including setup sheets, tool lists, inspection plans, and CAM programs are completed and maintained.

1.10 Coordinate with Engineering on process optimization – reduce cycle times, improve surface finish, extend tool life, and enhance part quality.

1.11 Approve tooling and fixture designs – ensure they are cost-effective, reliable, and meet production requirements.

1.12 Lead root cause analysis for complex technical issues (e.g., dimensional instability, material defects, machine capability).

1.13 Lead and manage the Planning Department, including:

• Production Planning & Scheduling
• Material Planning & Procurement
• Inventory Control & Management

1.14 Approve master production schedules – ensure alignment with customer delivery requirements, machine capacity, and material availability.

1.15 Monitor and optimize inventory levels – balance raw material, WIP, and finished goods to meet production needs while minimizing carrying costs.

1.16 Coordinate with Procurement – ensure timely availability of raw materials, cutting tools, coolants, and consumables.

1.17 Drive on-time delivery (OTD) performance – review and act upon delivery performance metrics; implement corrective actions for late shipments.

1.18 Lead sales & operations planning (S&OP) – align demand forecast with production capacity and material supply.

1.19 Approve production order prioritization – handle urgent customer orders, rework, and engineering change requests affecting schedule.

1.20 Bridge Production, Engineering, and Planning – resolve conflicts between:

• Machine capacity allocation
• Material availability vs production demand

1.21 Coordinate customer-facing technical and delivery discussions – support sales and quality teams with capability assessments and schedule commitments.

1.22 Develop, implement, and enforce safety protocols and 5S standards across the manufacturing floor in compliance with ISO requirements.

1.23 Ensure all three departments (Production, Engineering, Planning) follow ISO 9001:2015 / IATF 16949 (if applicable) requirements.

1.24 Prepare and present regular manufacturing performance reports to senior management – covering production output, OEE, delivery performance, inventory turns, engineering project status, and cost performance.

1.25 Review and approve engineering project timelines, resource allocation, and technical decisions.

1.26 Review and approve planning KPIs – schedule adherence, on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, and material coverage.

1.27 Perform other duties as assigned by Top Management.

2.0 AUTHORITIES

2.1 Approve production schedules and allocate manufacturing resources.

2.2 Authorize overtime, shift adjustments, and manpower redeployment as needed.

2.3 Approve NPI manufacturing timelines and process validation plans.

2.4 Monitor and act upon OEE, scrap, and efficiency data.

2.5 Approve scrap disposition and rework decisions within authorized limit.

2.6 Recommend and implement new equipment, tooling, or process changes.

2.7 Coordinate customer product training related to CNC manufacturing processes.

2.8 Delegate authority to Production Manager for daily production execution and troubleshooting.

2.9 Approve engineering change requests (ECOs/ECNs) for production implementation

2.10 Approve tooling and fixture budgets for new projects

2.11 Allocate engineering resources (programmers, process engineers) across projects

2.12 Approve master production schedules and order prioritization

2.13 Authorize expediting, overtime, or additional shifts to meet urgent delivery deadlines

2.14 Approve inventory write-offs, obsolescence, or rework decisions within authorized limits

2.15 Allocate materials and resources between customer orders and internal projects

3.0 SUBORDINATE SUPERVISED

3.0 Production Manager

3.2 Planning Manager (or Senior Planner / Team Lead)

4.0 JOB COMPETENCY

4.1 Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

4.2 12–18 years CNC machining experience, with 5+ years in a senior managerial role overseeing production, engineering, and planning.

4.3 Strong working knowledge of ISO 2768 and ASME Y14.5-2009.

4.4 Proficient in Microsoft Office and ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Epicor, or equivalent) for planning and reporting.

4.5 Able to use CAD/CAM software (MasterCAM, SolidWorks, or equivalent) – at least at a review/approval level.

4.6 Strong understanding of tooling selection, workholding, and machining strategies for 3‑, 4‑ & 5‑axis CNC.

4.7 Experience leading NPI and process validation from engineering concept to production ramp-up.

4.8 Strong knowledge of production planning principles – capacity planning, scheduling, inventory management, and lean manufacturing.

4.9 Proven track record of improving on-time delivery (OTD) and inventory turnover.

4.10 Strong leadership, decision-making, and cross-functional communication skills.

4.11 Proven experience managing direct reports who are themselves people managers (e.g., Production Manager, Engineering Manager, Planning Manager).

4.12 Ability to balance competing priorities between production output, engineering development, planning constraints, and customer demands

4.13 Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – data-driven decision making.