Operations Manager

POET Technologies; Penang; On-site; MYR 480,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

POET Technologies Inc. in Penang seeks an Operation Manager to lead Optical Engine assembly and test operations, delivering production output, on-time delivery, quality, and cost targets.

You will manage multi-shift teams, drive continuous improvement, and ensure strict material control and traceability. Responsibilities include optimizing throughput, coordinating with Planning and Supply Chain, maintaining OEE and KPIs, and partnering with NPI and Engineering to ramp new products to volume

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Industrial Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years in manufacturing operations in electronics, semiconductor or photonics with 5+ years leading multi-shift teams.
• Proven record of supporting NPI transfer and production ramp while meeting output, OTD, and quality targets.
• Strong command of Lean, Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt preferred), SPC, FMEA, and 8D problem solving, with ISO 9001, ESD, cleanroom knowledge.
• Experience with MES and ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and data tools (Excel, Power BI).

Responsibilities

• Own accountability for production output, shipment, OTD, yield and quality targets.
• Lead four shift teams through shift supervisors in a 24/7 environment.
• Plan manpower against demand, manage rosters, overtime, attendance, cross-training, and skills matrix.
• Monitor production flow and WIP; align with Planning and Supply Chain to meet commitments.
• Ensure disciplined material control, traceability, and MES-based tracking through shipment.
• Manage equipment utilization, uptime and OEE; coordinate preventive maintenance with Engineering.
• Analyze bottlenecks, cycle time, line balance to optimize throughput and capacity.
• Enforce work instructions, process controls, ESD, cleanroom discipline; lead 8D for excursions.
• Drive cost reduction via productivity, yield improvement, scrap reduction, and consumables control.
• Build Lean culture with 5S, kaizen, standard work; explore automation opportunities.
• Partner with NPI, Process, and Test Eng to transfer new products to volume production.
• Establish and report KPIs (output, OTD, yield, OEE, UPH, labor efficiency, cost).
• Ensure safety and compliance with EHS and ISO requirements.

Skills

Lean

Six Sigma

Leadership

Problem solving

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Master’s degree/MBA

Tools

MES

SAP

Excel

Power BI

Job description

The Operation Manager leads Optical Engine assembly and test operations at the Penang site and is accountable for delivering production output, on-time delivery, quality, and cost targets. The role manages multi-shift production teams and a diverse base of assembly and test equipment, leads the production ramp to high-volume manufacturing (HVM), and grows the team to support production expansion. The Operation Manager also ensures disciplined material control and full system traceability and drives continuous improvement for long-term operational success.

Responsibilities

• Operational delivery: Own full accountability for production output, shipment, on-time delivery (OTD), yield, and quality targets for Optical Engine assembly and test operations.
• Shift leadership: Lead four shift teams through the shift supervisors, managing direct labour across POET and Contract Manufacturer; ensure consistent work standards, performance, and seamless shift handover in a 24/7 environment.
• Workforce planning: Plan manpower against the demand forecast; manage shift rosters, overtime, attendance, cross-training, and the skills matrix to keep the operation flexible and fully staffed.
• Production flow and priorities: Monitor production flow and WIP daily; set priorities with Planning and Supply Chain to meet customer commitments; run daily production meetings and escalates risks early.
• Material control and traceability: Ensure disciplined material control, including issuance, WIP, inventory accuracy, cycle counts, and handling of nonconforming material; adopt and enforce MES-based system traceability so every unit, lot, and component is tracked through assembly and test to shipment.
• Equipment management: Manage a diverse range of assembly and test equipment; drive equipment utilization, uptime, and OEE; partner with Equipment Engineering on preventive maintenance, calibration, and critical spare parts.
• Throughput and capacity: Analyze bottlenecks, cycle time, and line balance to optimize throughput; maintain the capacity model and recommend equipment and headcount investments to support growth.
• Quality of execution: Enforce work instructions, process controls, ESD, and cleanroom discipline; lead containment and root-cause corrective action (8D) for excursions; reduce scrap and rework; support customer and certification audits.
• Cost improvement: Continuously reduce product cost through labor productivity, yield improvement, scrap reduction, and consumables control; manage the operations budget.
• Continuous improvement: Build a Lean culture using 5S, kaizen, standard work, and Six Sigma tools; identify opportunities for automation and error-proofing.
• NPI transfer and ramp: Partner with NPI, Process, and Test Engineering to transfer new products into volume production and execute production ramps on schedule.
• KPIs and reporting: Establish and track operational KPIs (output, OTD, yield, OEE, UPH, labor efficiency, cost); report performance and action plans to local and global management.
• Safety and compliance: Ensure a safe workplace and compliance with EHS regulations, ISO quality and environmental systems, and customer requirements.
• People development: Recruit, coach, and develop supervisors, technicians, and operators; manage performance, including addressing poor performers; build succession plans and team engagement.
• Cross-functional and global collaboration: Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Planning, Supply Chain, and global teams; represent Operations in local and global meetings.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Industrial Engineering, or a related field; a Master's degree or MBA is an advantage.
• Operations experience: Minimum 10 years in manufacturing operations in electronics, semiconductor, or photonics/optoelectronics, including at least 5 years managing multi-shift production teams.
• Production ramp: Proven record of supporting NPI transfer and production ramp while meeting output, OTD, and quality targets.
• Improvement methods and standards: Strong command of Lean, Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt preferred), SPC, FMEA, and 8D problem solving, with working knowledge of ISO 9001, ESD control, cleanroom practices, and EHS requirements.
• Systems and data: Experience with MES and ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI) to drive data-based decisions.
• Leadership: Ability to build and grow a high-performing team, coach supervisors, and manage poor performers fairly and decisively.
• Personal attributes: Hands-on, results-driven, and calm under pressure, with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills; able to support a 24/7 operation, respond to off-shift escalations, and travel occasionally.