Director of Operations

Sanmina; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanmina Fremont is seeking a Fabrication Operations Director to oversee all manufacturing and production activities for complex sheet metal fabrication, final assembly, and testing. You will drive Lean initiatives, ensure safety, quality, and on-time delivery while leading a large team and coordinating with engineering for new products.

The role requires a minimum 10+ years in manufacturing, with 8+ years in leadership, and hands-on experience in punching, bending, welding, and finishing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in industrial/manufacturing-related field or equivalent years of fabrication experience.
• 10+ years of manufacturing fabrication experience, with 8+ years in a management or senior supervisory role overseeing production operations.
• Hands-on experience in sheet metal fabrication processes (punching, press brake bending, welding, surface finishing).

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production across departments to ensure on-time delivery targets.
• Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cycle time and improve efficiency.
• Ensure safety, quality, and ISO 9001 compliance; support CAPA and RCA activities.
• Supervise production supervisors and plan capacity, scheduling, and labor requirements.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Job Description

Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider serving the fastest-growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina Corporation provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions, delivering superior quality and support to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) primarily in the communications networks, defense and aerospace, industrial and semiconductor systems, medical, multimedia, computing and storage, automotive and clean technology sectors. Sanmina Corporation has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world.

Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider serving the fastest-growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina Corporation provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions, delivering superior quality and support to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) primarily in the communications networks, defense and aerospace, industrial and semiconductor systems, medical, multimedia, computing and storage, automotive and clean technology sectors. Sanmina Corporation has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world.

Located in Silicon Valley, Sanmina Fremont offers a unique, single-location end-to-end mechanical systems manufacturing service. The facility specializes in low-to-mid volume production, New Product Introduction (NPI), and Design for Manufacturability (DFM). Its comprehensive, high-tolerance capabilities range from small parts to fully integrated and tested systems, including sheet metal fabrication, precision machining, manual/robotic welding, and advanced in-house painting. Powered by an accelerated volume-to-market model, the Fremont operation delivers highly flexible logistics, distribution, and repair services tailored to fast-changing customer needs.

It is an incredibly exciting time to work in fabrication and integration within the manufacturing sector. What once consisted of highly manual, labor-intensive machine processes has morphed into an era of robotics, automation, and complex engineering. Fremont supports the critical infrastructure driving the semiconductor, automotive, defense, aerospace, and artificial intelligence sectors. As AI transforms multiple key industries, Sanmina Fremont is leading the charge by building specialized server racks designed for AI workloads, alongside sophisticated cooling solutions to optimize both performance and energy efficiency. Sanmina offers diverse opportunities across various fields—including production, welding, design engineering, and account management. Working at Sanmina Fremont means collaborating with cross-functional teams and multiple departments to be an integral part of this dynamic and fast-growing industry.

At Sanmina, we cultivate internal talent and provide resources for everyone to thrive. Whether you are looking to build foundational skills or expand your existing expertise, you can leverage our Tuition Reimbursement program, master new software, and diversify your portfolio. We also offer vibrant platforms for professionals eager to lead, mentor, and train others.

As we expand our cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities, we are looking for a motivated Fabrication Operations Director who wants to build a meaningful career and join our dynamic team in Fremont.

Job Purpose

- The Fabrication Operations Director is responsible for the direct management of all manufacturing and production activities for complex fabricated sheet metal, tubular frames, final assembly & test of a variety technical components & products. This role focuses on optimizing shop floor processes, ensuring product quality, meeting production schedules, and maintaining a safe working environment, directly supporting the strategic goals set by the Plant Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Efficiency Management

• Oversee the daily execution of production schedules across multiple departments (e.g., sheet metal fabrication, welding, powder coat painting, final assembly, testing) to ensure on-time delivery (OTD) targets are met.
• Drive the implementation and application of Lean Manufacturing principles and Continuous Improvement initiatives (e.g., 5S, Standard Work, Waste Reduction) to enhance operational efficiency and reduce manufacturing cycle time.
• Monitor key operational metrics, including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), scrap rate, and labor utilization, taking corrective action as necessary.
• Coordinate with the Engineering department to manage the introduction of new products (NPI) smoothly into production and resolve complex manufacturing issues.

Quality and Safety

• Champion a rigorous Safety (HSE) program on the shop floor, ensuring all employees adhere to strict safety protocols and environmental compliance standards.
• Work closely with the Quality team to maintain high product quality, ensure compliance with the ISO 9001 standard, and manage in-process quality control gates.
• Lead and support teams in performing Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for production defects and implementing sustainable corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Team and Resource Management

• Directly supervise Production Supervisors, leading, mentoring, and developing the manufacturing workforce.
• Manage labor planning, scheduling, and capacity requirements to match demand fluctuations.
• Collaborate with Materials Planning, Purchasing and Logistics teams to optimize inventory levels and ensure the timely flow of components to the production line.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field or equivalent years experience in fabrication.
• Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of experience in a manufacturing fabrication environment, with at least 8 years in a management or senior supervisory role overseeing production operations.
• Industry Knowledge: Hands-on experience in the sheet metal fabrication or custom metal manufacturing sector is highly preferred as is familiarity with core fabrication processes (e.g. punching, press brake bending, welding and surface finishing).

Technical Skills

• Proven expertise in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Strong working knowledge of manufacturing ERP/MRP systems and production scheduling tools.
• Leadership: Exceptional problem-solving skills, decisiveness, and proven ability to manage and motivate a large, diverse manufacturing workforce in a fast-paced environment.

This is an ITAR facility and applicant must be a US Citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Salary Range (annual): $150,000 - $200,000. Actual base pay within this range (determined at the offer stage) will be based on a candidate's years of relevant work experience, education, certifications, and skills, and is just one element of our total rewards package. The total rewards package also includes a variety of benefits, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business and, depending on the role, may include eligibility for restricted stock unit awards and participation in a discretionary bonus program.