Conductive Elastomer Manufacturing Manager

HEICO Corporation; Tampa (FL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Leader Tech in Tampa, FL, part of the HEICO family, seeks a Conductive Elastomer Manufacturing Manager to lead production of conductive elastomer materials and EMI shielding components. You will oversee bonding, molding, die cutting, and finishing operations, ensuring quality and on-time delivery in a high-reliability setting.

The role emphasizes process control, CAPA, safety, and continuous improvement in a precision manufacturing environment serving demanding customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of manufacturing leadership experience in elastomers, polymers, rubber molding, or EMI shielding products.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage daily operations of conductive elastomer mixing, milling, molding, bonding, curing, die cutting, and finishing processes; assign and direct work within the department.
• Schedule and allocate labor to meet customer delivery requirements while optimizing throughput and minimizing scrap.
• Oversee compounding of conductive elastomer formulations with silver-plated aluminum, nickel-graphite, silver, or other fillers.
• Ensure adherence to process parameters including cure profiles, compression set targets, durometer specs, and conductivity requirements.
• Coordinate with Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Tooling to establish priorities and resolve issues for efficient workflow.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Elastomer materials

EMI shielding

Process optimization

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science/Polymer/Chemical/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Production scheduling tools

Job description

Conductive Elastomer Manufacturing Manager

#26-1132

Tampa, Florida, United States

Employment Status

Full-Time

Manager

Job Description

Leader Tech is a world leading innovator and manufacturer of EMI shielding products for circuit boards, electronic enclosures, interconnect cables and Thermal solutions founded in 1984.The Company serves a diverse commercial and military customer base from its Global EMI Shielding Technology Center located in Tampa, Florida. Every detail of the company's one-of-a-kind manufacturing facility is tailor-engineered to streamline and improve customer service, engineering and manufacturing processes.

Position Summary

Leader Tech is seeking a technically qualified Conductive Elastomer Manufacturing Manager to lead, manage, and oversee all operations associated with the production of conductive elastomer materials and finished EMI shielding components, including bonded O-rings, pressed O-rings, die-cut gaskets, and custom elastomeric assemblies.

This position requires a degree in technical professional with expertise in polymer science, materials engineering, chemical engineering, or related discipline. The Manager's primary duty is management of the assigned manufacturing operation and workforce, with responsibility for process control, product quality, labor efficiency, safety compliance, staffing and performance management, and continuous improvement within a precision manufacturing environment serving high-reliability industries.

Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership

• Direct and manage daily operations of conductive elastomer mixing, milling, molding, bonding, curing, die cutting, and finishing processes, including assignment and direction of work within the department.
• Manage production scheduling and labor allocation to meet customer delivery requirements while optimizing throughput and minimizing scrap.
• Oversee compounding of conductive elastomer formulations containing silver-plated aluminum, nickel-graphite, silver, or other conductive fillers.
• Ensure adherence to documented process parameters including cure profiles, compression set targets, durometer specifications, and electrical conductivity requirements.
• Exercise independent judgment in coordinating with Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Tooling to establish priorities, resolve operational issues, and ensure efficient workflow and capacity utilization.

Technical Oversight

• Maintain process control over compression molding, transfer molding, bonding processes, and die cutting operations.
• Monitor and improve critical performance metrics including:
• Volume resistivity / surface resistivity
• Tensile strength and elongation
• Dimensional tolerances
• Support new product introduction (NPI), tooling validation, and first article inspections.
• Troubleshoot process deviations, curing inconsistencies, bonding failures, and material nonconformances.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and AS9100 (if applicable) quality standards.
• Maintain adherence to ESD control protocols and material traceability requirements.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) related to elastomer processing and assembly.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations related to polymer processing and conductive filler handling.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste and improve process capability (Cp/Cpk).
• Lead cost-reduction initiatives related to scrap, cycle time, labor efficiency, and material utilization.
• Develop standard work instructions and optimize labor allocation.
• Support automation initiatives where applicable.

Team Management

• Supervise and direct production supervisors, lead operators, and manufacturing personnel, including at least two full-time employees or their equivalent.
• Conduct performance management, training, coaching, and workforce development; address performance and disciplinary matters within the scope of assigned authority.
• Participate in interviewing and selection of department personnel and make recommendations regarding hiring, promotion, discipline, performance improvement, and termination; such recommendations are given significant consideration in employment decisions.
• Ensure cross-training and succession planning within the department and foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of manufacturing leadership experience in elastomers, polymers, rubber molding, or EMI shielding products.
• Demonstrated experience with compression molding, transfer molding, elastomer bonding, and die cutting operations.
• Strong understanding of conductive filler systems and electrically conductive elastomer materials.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and production scheduling tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in EMI/RFI shielding materials manufacturing.
• Knowledge of MIL-DTL, ASTM, and aerospace/defense material standards.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with bonded assemblies and adhesive selection for elastomer-to-metal bonding.
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and process capability analysis.
• Technical depth in elastomer material science
• Process optimization and root cause analysis
• Production planning and labor management
• Quality systems compliance
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Clear communication across cross-functional teams