Contract Manufacturing Manager

TAE Power Solutions; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

TAE Power Solutions seeks an experienced Contract Manufacturing Manager to lead manufacturing execution with U.S. CM partners.

The role acts as the main Operations interface, driving readiness, production execution, capacity, cost, and delivery performance. You will collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program management to ensure safe, reliable, and scalable manufacturing of complex products.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in manufacturing, ideally with complex electromechanical products
• 3-5 years working directly with contract manufacturers or outsourced partners
• Proven track record taking products through NPI to volume production
• Strong command of manufacturing processes, capacity planning, production test, quality systems, and factory operations
• Hands-on experience resolving live production issues on the manufacturing floor
• Knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, root-cause problem solving, and lean methods
• Excellent project-management and cross-functional leadership with external partners
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering/operations field
• Willingness to travel frequently to U.S. contract manufacturing sites

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Operations interface with U.S. contract manufacturing partners and leadership teams
• Lead regular operating cadence with CM leadership on production performance, quality, material availability, staffing, capacity, testing, cost, and delivery
• Drive day-to-day manufacturing priorities, issue resolution, risks, and escalations to meet commitments
• Monitor CM performance against KPIs and lead corrective and recovery plans when needed
• Translate demand forecasts into manufacturing capacity requirements and validate line capacity and staffing
• Coordinate readiness for new product introductions, prototype through volume ramp, with Engineering and Quality
• Ensure documented processes, tooling, equipment, and work instructions are in place before builds begin
• Plan and manage production schedules to meet customer and program requirements

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Effective communication

Problem solving

Lean principles

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

PFMEA

Control plans

Process validation

ERP/MRP systems

Lean Six Sigma

Job description

TAE Power Solutions (TPS) is the electrification spin-off from TAE Technologies, a leader in nuclear fusion technology. The company is leveraging unique power management technology originally developed for nuclear fusion and applying it in adjacent industries including Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and DC Fast Charging for electric vehicles.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Contract Manufacturing Manager to lead manufacturing execution and operational performance with our U.S. contract manufacturing (CM) partners.

As the primary Operations interface between the company and its contract manufacturers, you will drive manufacturing readiness, production execution, capacity quality, cost, and delivery performance. You will work directly with CM factory leadership and cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Program Management, and Commercial to ensure our manufacturing partners are prepared to build, test, ramp, and deliver complex products safely, reliably and at scale.

Role Attributes

CM Relationship & Manufacturing Execution

• Serve as the primary Operations interface with assigned U.S. contract manufacturing partners, and build strong working relationships across CM leadership, manufacturing engineering, quality, supply chain, planning, and production teams.
• Establish and lead a regular operating cadence with CM leadership covering production performance, quality, material availability, staffing, capacity, testing, cost, and delivery.
• Drive day-to-day manufacturing priorities, issue resolution, risks, and escalations to support customer and program commitments.
• Monitor CM performance against agreed KPIs and lead corrective and recovery plans when performance or schedule falls short.

NPI & Manufacturing Readiness

• Lead manufacturing readiness for new product introductions and production transfers, including readiness plans and launch gates from prototype through volume ramp.
• Ensure manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, equipment, test systems, work instructions, and production documentation are in place before builds begin.
• Coordinate EVT/DVT/PVT, pilot builds, production qualification, and ramp with Engineering, Quality, and the CM.
• Drive DFM/DFA feedback between the CM and Engineering, and ensure lessons learned from prototype and pilot builds are incorporated before volume production.

Capacity & Capability

• Translate demand forecasts into manufacturing capacity requirements, and validate line capacity, equipment availability, cycle and takt times, labor, shifts, and factory space.
• Ensure CMs have adequate, trained staffing ahead of ramps.
• Conduct periodic capacity assessments based on demonstrated - not stated - capacity, and develop mitigation or expansion plans for constraints.
• Assess CM capability against product and process requirements, and ensure critical processes are documented, controlled, repeatable, and scalable through PFMEAs, control plans, process validation, and work instructions.

Test & Product Validation

• Ensure CMs have the test equipment, fixtures, procedures, infrastructure, and trained personnel required for production.
• Coordinate implementation and validation of production test systems, and ensure test steps are repeatable, documented, and integrated into the manufacturing flow.
• Partner with Engineering and Quality to support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) readiness and execution.

Planning & Delivery

• Partner with Supply Chain and CM planning teams to align demand, material availability, capacity, and production schedules.
• Identify shortages and constraints before they impact customer deliveries.
• Monitor build schedules against customer and program requirements, and ensure finished product is released and ready to ship on committed dates.

Qualifications, Functional Experience & Skills

Qualifications Required

• 8+ years in manufacturing, ideally with complex electromechanical products - power electronics, energy storage, automotive, or industrial equipment.
• 3-5 years working directly with contract manufacturers or other outsourced manufacturing partners.
• Proven track record taking products through NPI, from prototype and pilot builds into volume production.
• Strong command of manufacturing processes, capacity and production planning, production test, quality systems, and factory operations.
• Hands-on experience on the manufacturing floor resolving live production issues.
• Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA, control plans, and structured root-cause problem solving.
• Strong project-management and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to influence external partners without direct authority.
• Ability to communicate effectively with everyone from factory-floor operators to senior CM leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, or a related field.
• Willingness to travel frequently to U.S. contract manufacturing sites.

Preferred

• Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS), power conversion systems, EV batteries, or comparable complex industrial systems.
• Experience with APQP/PPAP and other structured manufacturing-readiness processes.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and related manufacturing quality standards.
• Experience standing up new manufacturing lines or guiding high-growth CMs through rapid volume ramps.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing reporting tools.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification.

Must be within a commutable distance within Charleston (South Carolina).

Learn more

Imagination, skill, and will

At TAE Power Solutions, we design power systems that use less but do more. Systems that charge faster, run stronger, go farther, and last longer. We inspire better ways to move, work, play, and live.

The future is electric, because it's powered by TAE.

We are unwavering in our expertise and knowledge, separating fact from fiction and proof from hypothesis.

You will be a successful member of TAE Power Solutions if you have these traits:

Confident

You are confident in your skills, based on your credentials, technical accomplishments, and positive impact on your teams/organizations.

Collaborative

You are collaborative and work well within and with teams to approach challenges with respect, transparency, optimism, and confidence to succeed together.

Creative

You are creative, with determination to learn continuously, break new ground, and push the cutting edge.

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TAE Power Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

We ensure all individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Note to Agencies: TAE prefers to hire directly and maintains an existing preferred supplier list. We do not accept speculative CVs or referrals from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable