Assistant Manager

Socket.dev; Lawrenceville (IL); On-site; USD 89,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Comprehensive benefits

Career development

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Manager to lead the Manufacturing department, guiding group leaders, team leaders, and team members in a TPS-driven environment in Lawrenceville, IL. The role focuses on safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction while meeting customer requirements.

Responsibilities include coaching, audits, continuous improvement, 5S, and KPI tracking; you will budget planning and headcount; strong leadership and communication are essential in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience, automotive preferred.
• 3+ years of supervisory leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of TPS and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing activities to meet customer requirements.
• Ensure safety, quality, and productivity across shifts.
• Coach and develop group leaders and team members.
• Conduct daily area audits for safety, quality, and training.
• Implement corrective actions and waste reduction initiatives.
• Monitor KPIs and production costs; drive 5S and JIT practices.
• Support budget planning and headcount reviews.

Skills

TPS knowledge

Leadership

Quality management

Kaizen

5S

Kanban

Problem solving

Data analysis

Budgeting

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

General Summary

Manage and lead Manufacturing department group leaders, team leaders, and team members for assigned areas/shift to ensure safety, quality, positive work environment, customer requirements, and manufacturing needs are met through the Toyota Production System (TPS) philosophy. Provide leadership and motivation to direct reports in manufacturing system that emphasizes safety, quality, customer satisfaction, accuracy, productivity, cost reduction, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale.

Essential Job Functions

1. Leads and manages manufacturing activities and related functions for assigned areas/shift to meet customer requirements.
2. Ensure manufacturing operations are running effectively in the areas of safety, quality, efficiency/productivity, cost, and team member morale.
3. Provide direction and motivation to group leaders focusing on safety, quality, efficiency, cost, and morale.
4. Conduct daily manufacturing production area audits to ensure procedures for safety, quality, equipment, and training are being followed and all aspects of manufacturing are effective including correcting sub-standards.
5. Lead development of Group Leaders in the consistent application of the TB Way and Toyota Boshoku Business Practices (TBBP).
6. Implement short and long term corrective actions for manufacturing problems.
7. Ensure all departmental procedures are complaint with quality and environmental management systems and programs.
8. Monitor daily build sheets and analyze efficiency rates and downtime to ensure customer requirements are being met.
9. Lead Manufacturing supervision for assigned areas/shift in utilizing TPS techniques.
10. Learn, embrace, implement, and teach TPS techniques to Manufacturing team members.
11. Coordinate and maintain standardization of processes/methods and one piece flow in Just in Time (JIT) production system.
12. Lead identification of manufacturing problems and eliminate waste.
13. Develops, leads, monitors, and participates in a Manufacturing continuous improvement system.
14. Kaizen and develop processes that lower operating costs and increase efficiency.
15. Implement, monitor, and maintain a clean, organized department through 5S activity.
16. Support development and management of annual plan, budget, and Key Performance Indicators (KPI), operating efficiency, and cost control.
17. Ensure Manufacturing hoshin goals are met and kept on track.
18. Assists Production Manager in developing, planning, and maintaining the budget including making adjustments to achieve targets.
19. Assist in the review and planning of headcount monthly for labor cost control and production efficiency (PEFF).
20. Review and track Manufacturing Key Performance Indicators (KPI) including leading problem solving for negative trends or goals not met.
21. Assist with generation and report out of weekly/monthly reports with targets.
22. Participates in management discussions and planning sessions to help formulate cost reduction, product improvement, and problem solving activities, and supports presentation of operational performance daily/weekly.
23. Develops and maintains positive team member relations centered on mutual trust, dignity, respect, fairness, consistency, two-way communication, teamwork, and harmony.
24. Provides direction and motivation to team members emphasizing quality, efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, safety and health, and morale.
25. Ensures further development of group leaders, team leaders, and team members through performance evaluation, development of training plans, feedback, coaching, corrective action, and cascade training. Update team member training matrix and schedule any needed training.

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, or related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in a manufacturing environment required, preferably automotive.
• Minimum 3 years of functional leadership experience as supervisor in a manufacturing environment.

Personal/Technical Skills

• Thorough understanding of company product, trade terminology, quality management and control systems and techniques, manufacturing processes including material controls, work flow, scheduling, kanban, and equipment and machine operation.
• Working knowledge of automotive industry equipment and production systems.
• General understanding and practical work experience with manufacturing systems and processes.
• Practical experience applying Toyota Production System (TPS) principles in an automotive environment.
• Versed in statistical data entry and utilization of trend analysis.
• Advanced math skills.
• Strong leadership skills and ability.
• Excellent problem solving and people skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
• Ability to effectively facilitate problem solving and resolution.
• Ability work with a dynamic team and demanding customer(s).
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to read instruction manuals, blue prints, and specifications.
• Ability to plan, supervise, and perform functions of assigned areas.
• Ability to maintain on call flexibility to control abnormal conditions.
• Ability to be flexible in a constantly changing production environment.
• Ability to communicate and work well with others in a team environment.
• Ability to speak to groups of people and make presentations to executive groups.
• Ability to multi-task, handle diversity, and provide leadership through problem resolution.
• Must be able to work a fixed or rotating shift schedule, including daily or weekend overtime.
• Ability to adapt available skills and equipment to respond to unforeseen demands and/or problems.
• Ability to implement plans to control and maintain safety, quality, 5S, cost, and efficiency for assigned areas.
• Strong organization, time management, and planning skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
• Ability to teach group leaders, team leaders, and team members in basic fundamental skills and facilitate Job Instruction Training (JIT).

Language Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Computer/Software

• Solid working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office and other computer-based applications (e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Lotus Notes/Outlook, Internet, etc.).

Work Environment/Conditions

Office

Open Office Environment, moderate noise level.

Plant

Various types of manufacturing environments.

• Standard automotive plant environment with moderate noise level.
• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as safety glasses, steel toe shoes, Kevlar sleeves, hearing protection, etc. may be required in designated engineering, manufacturing, or industrial areas. Personal attire standards may apply.
• Involves moderate or occasional presence of some slightly disagreeable conditions, i.e., cold, dust, heat, odor, etc.

Travel

Must be willing to travel up to 10% of the time.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is required to talk, hear, and see (with visual acuity). Performance requires mental alertness and sustained attention to needs of the department in terms of workflow, efficiency of operation, machine adjustment, and team member output. Performance requires physical ability to inspect, adjust, and operate equipment. The team member must be capable of walking, sitting, and standing for extended periods of time throughout plant. Occasionally climbing or bending on, under, or near tooling and equipment. May be occasionally required to reach, grasp, and manipulate parts, materials, or equipment. May be occasionally required to lift up to 30 pounds.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to identify the general nature and level of work performed by team members within this classification, as well as certain essential job functions. It is not intended, and should not be interpreted, as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of team members assigned to this job. To qualify for this job, however, a team member must be able to perform its essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Under no circumstances may this job description be construed as altering the at-will nature of the employment relationship between TBA and any team member.

EOE

Salary

$89,000 - $111,250 based on experience

Benefits

Toyota Boshoku America offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes but is not limited to: Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life Insurance, 401k, and Paid Time Off.

All employees are eligible for bonus compensation