Crystal Growth Production Operations Manager

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 87,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards package

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Charlotte, NC is seeking a Production-Process Operations Manager – Level 1 to supervise crystal growth technicians, improve lean processes, and ensure safe, efficient 24/7 production within SYNOPTICS. This onsite role emphasizes hands-on leadership and manufacturing excellence.

The ideal candidate will have an associate degree (BS preferred) with 2+ years in manufacturing and strong communication, software skills, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in a technical or business discipline with 2+ years in manufacturing.
• No security clearance required.
• Minimum 3 years of manufacturing experience.
• Ability to read technical drawings and electrical schematics.
• Strong communication with technicians, engineers and management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word and OneNote.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, coach, and schedule crystal growth technicians to ensure seamless production.
• Collaborate with growth technicians to engage them and support career progression.
• Handle disciplinary actions and document them.
• Lead shift pass-down stand-up meetings and track multi-day growth runs.
• Maintain 5S/lean manufacturing and coach staff.
• Oversee crystal growth training programs (on-boarding, cross-product, safety).
• Maintain training progress logs with trainers.
• Manage production supply inventories (ceramics, critical components, disposables).
• Improve the Kanban inventory system.
• Support off-hour technicians and coordinate with on-call supervisors.
• Ensure safety protocols and SOP compliance; work on floor with technicians.

Skills

Reading drawings and schematics

Communication skills

Leadership / supervision

Manufacturing awareness

Education

Associate degree in technical or business

BS in STEM and/or Business (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

OneNote

Job description

Northrop Grumman in Charlotte, NC is seeking a Production-Process Operations Manager – Level 1 to supervise crystal growth technicians, improve lean processes, and ensure safe, efficient 24/7 production within SYNOPTICS. This onsite role emphasizes hands-on leadership and manufacturing excellence.

The ideal candidate will have an associate degree (BS preferred) with 2+ years in manufacturing and strong communication, software skills, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.