Contract Manufacturing Manager

Voss Recruitment; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Voss Recruitment seeks a Senior NPI Manufacturing Engineer / CM Operations Manager to drive transitions from prototype to high-volume production. You will be the technical bridge between internal product teams and outsourced manufacturers, ensuring scalable, quality-focused line readiness.

The role emphasizes hands-on floor leadership, root-cause problem solving, and cross-functional collaboration with CM executives to maximize capacity and reliability.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of manufacturing experience, including complex electromechanical products.
• 3–5 years with contract manufacturers or outsourced partners.
• Proven track record moving products from prototype to high-volume production.
• Strong command of manufacturing processes, test architectures, and capacity planning.
• Lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA, control plans, and root-cause analysis (8D, 5 Why).
• Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPI and scale-up from prototype to high-volume manufacturing.
• Direct operations interface with contract manufacturers and drive performance.
• Provide hands-on floor support to resolve bottlenecks in real time.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA to improve layouts and processes.
• Establish robust production tests, control plans, and quality systems.
• Collaborate across internal and external teams to align schedules and objectives.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

NPI execution

Root-cause problem solving

Lean Six Sigma PFMEA

Capacity planning

Collaboration with CM partners

Education

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

Tools

APQP

PPAP

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

We are seeking a high-caliber, hands-on Senior NPI Manufacturing Engineer / Contract Manufacturing (CM) Operations Manager to spearhead the transition of our complex electromechanical products from prototype to high-volume production. In this pivotal role, you will serve as the primary technical link between internal product teams and our outsourced manufacturing partners. The ideal candidate brings extensive floor experience, sharp root-cause problem-solving skills, and a proven track record of scaling production lines while maintaining world-class quality and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• NPI & Scale-Up: Lead products through the complete New Product Introduction lifecycle, managing prototype execution, pilot builds, and seamless transitions into high-volume manufacturing.
• CM & Partner Management: Serve as the direct operational interface with contract manufacturers, driving factory performance, capacity planning, and line readiness without needing direct authority.
• Floor Operations & Support: Provide direct, hands-on support on the manufacturing floor to resolve live assembly, test, and production bottlenecks in real-time.
• Continuous Improvement: Implement structured Lean, Six Sigma, and PFMEA methodologies to optimize factory floor layouts, streamline assembly processes, and eliminate waste.
• Quality Assurance: Establish and maintain robust production tests, control plans, and quality systems to ensure products strictly adhere to engineering specifications.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate across internal and external teams—from factory-floor operators to senior contract manufacturing executives to align production schedules and business objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Criteria

• Industry Expertise: 8+ years of experience in manufacturing, specifically handling complex electromechanical products (e.g., power electronics, energy storage, automotive, or industrial equipment).
• Outsourced Manufacturing: 3–5 years of direct experience working with contract manufacturers or outsourced manufacturing partners.
• NPI Execution: Proven track record of successfully guiding complex products from design verification/prototyping into stable, volume production.
• Technical Mastery: Strong command of manufacturing processes, production test architectures, capacity planning, and factory operations.
• Problem Solving: Expert working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA, control plans, and structured root-cause analysis (e.g., 8D, 5 Why).
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, or a closely related technical field.
• Travel: Full willingness and flexibility to travel frequently to U.S.-based contract manufacturing sites.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Domain Knowledge: Experience with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), power conversion systems, EV batteries, or high-power industrial equipment.
• Quality Systems: Direct experience utilizing APQP / PPAP processes and working within ISO 9001 or similar manufacturing quality standards.
• Line Scale-Up: Background standing up entirely new manufacturing lines or guiding high-growth CMs through rapid, aggressive volume ramps.
• Systems Familiarity: Experience using enterprise ERP/MRP systems and standard manufacturing reporting tools.
• Certifications: Active Lean or Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt) is highly advantageous.