Senior Manager - Front-End Manufacturing Operations (SMT/FOL)

NI Malaysia Sdn Bhd; George Town; On-site; MYR 280,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

NI Malaysia Sdn Bhd in Penang, Malaysia is seeking a Senior Manager to lead Front-of-Line manufacturing operations (SMT/Wave Solder/Microcircuit) and drive SQDC performance. You will develop a high-performing team, accelerate digital transformation, and support growth through continuous improvement and automation.

The role requires extensive experience in electronics manufacturing, Lean/Six Sigma, and MES/ERP proficiency.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading manufacturing operations within electronics or high-technology manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing SMT, Front-of-Line manufacturing, or related production operations.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, operational excellence principles, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, or similar operational improvement approaches.
• Knowledge of quality systems, process controls, and industry manufacturing standards.
• Experience leading teams through operational, organizational, or technology transformation initiatives.
• Ability to analyze manufacturing data, identify trends, and implement actions that drive measurable business results.
• Strong leadership, coaching, stakeholder management, and change management capabilities.
• Proficiency with manufacturing systems, ERP platforms, and digital manufacturing tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and promote a strong safety culture focused on proactive risk identification, prevention, and continuous improvement.
• Drive compliance with environmental, health, and safety requirements, including electrostatic discharge (ESD), chemical handling, machine safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and workplace organization standards.
• Deliver quality performance objectives through effective process controls, root cause analysis, corrective action implementation, and adherence to industry and quality management standards.
• Ensure robust manufacturing processes that support First Pass Yield (FPY), defect reduction, product traceability, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead operational performance to achieve production schedules, on-time delivery commitments, cycle time objectives, and build-ahead requirements.
• Develop contingency and recovery plans to minimize the impact of equipment, system, or manufacturing disruptions.
• Drive productivity improvements through Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), waste reduction, process optimization, and cost management initiatives.
• Build, coach, and develop leaders and manufacturing teams to strengthen organizational capability, engagement, and succession readiness.
• Lead the successful adoption and deployment of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), automation technologies, and digital manufacturing solutions.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives to support operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Job description

Senior Manager - Front-End Manufacturing Operations (SMT/FOL)

Based in Penang, Malaysia, you will lead Front-of-Line (FOL) manufacturing operations, including Surface Mount Technology (SMT), Wave Solder, Microcircuit, and SMT Rework production areas. In this role, you will drive operational excellence across Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) performance while developing a high-performing team, advancing digital transformation initiatives, and supporting business growth through continuous improvement, automation, and manufacturing innovation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and promote a strong safety culture focused on proactive risk identification, prevention, and continuous improvement.
• Drive compliance with environmental, health, and safety requirements, including electrostatic discharge (ESD), chemical handling, machine safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and workplace organization standards.
• Deliver quality performance objectives through effective process controls, root cause analysis, corrective action implementation, and adherence to industry and quality management standards.
• Ensure robust manufacturing processes that support First Pass Yield (FPY), defect reduction, product traceability, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead operational performance to achieve production schedules, on-time delivery commitments, cycle time objectives, and build-ahead requirements.
• Develop contingency and recovery plans to minimize the impact of equipment, system, or manufacturing disruptions.
• Drive productivity improvements through Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), waste reduction, process optimization, and cost management initiatives.
• Build, coach, and develop leaders and manufacturing teams to strengthen organizational capability, engagement, and succession readiness.
• Lead the successful adoption and deployment of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), automation technologies, and digital manufacturing solutions.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives to support operational excellence and sustainable growth.

About you

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Significant experience leading manufacturing operations within electronics or high-technology manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing SMT, Front-of-Line manufacturing, or related production operations.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, operational excellence principles, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, or similar operational improvement approaches.
• Knowledge of quality systems, process controls, and industry manufacturing standards.
• Experience leading teams through operational, organizational, or technology transformation initiatives.
• Ability to analyze manufacturing data, identify trends, and implement actions that drive measurable business results.
• Strong leadership, coaching, stakeholder management, and change management capabilities.
• Proficiency with manufacturing systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms, and digital manufacturing tools.

About us

At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives. Our commitment to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Innovation, integrity, collaboration, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.

National Instruments (NI), now Emerson's Test & Measurement business, is a global leader in test, measurement, and software-connected systems. For over four decades, NI has helped engineers across semiconductor, electronics, automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, and research accelerate innovation.

Acquired by Emerson in 2023, NI now combines its software, intelligent devices, and automated test expertise with Emerson's global scale and industry reach. At NI Malaysia, employees work with talented teams worldwide on technologies shaping automation, connectivity, and sustainable innovation, in a culture built on collaboration, continuous learning, and inclusion.

National Instruments (NI), now Emerson's Test & Measurement business, is a global leader in test, measurement, and software-connected systems. For over four decades, NI has helped engineers across semiconductor, electronics, automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, and research accelerate innovation.

Acquired by Emerson in 2023, NI now combines its software, intelligent devices, and automated test expertise with Emerson's global scale and industry reach. At NI Malaysia, employees work with talented teams worldwide on technologies shaping automation, connectivity, and sustainable innovation, in a culture built on collaboration, continuous learning, and inclusion.