Lead Wire Harness Plant Manager – Kalamazoo

Re:Build Manufacturing; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Re:Build Harness Solutions is seeking an experienced manufacturing leader to head wire harness operations at our Kalamazoo, Michigan facility. You will build safe, reliable, and high-quality processes that meet cost and delivery commitments, using KPIs like OEE, first-pass yield, cycle time, and labor efficiency.

You will develop a high-performing team, implement digital manufacturing technologies, and partner with Engineering to scale low-volume, high-mix production while traveling up to 10%

Qualifications

• 10+ years of manufacturing operations experience, including 5+ years in plant or production management leading teams of 20+.
• Direct wire harness, cable assembly, or electro-mechanical manufacturing experience.
• Experience scaling low-volume, high-mix operations and improving quality, cost, and delivery.
• Strong knowledge of wire cutting, stripping, crimping, soldering, assembly, testing, and wire harness workmanship standards.
• Hands-on experience with wire processing equipment such as Komax, Schleuniger, or equivalent systems.
• Knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620 and familiarity with ITAR-controlled manufacturing environments.
• Strong Lean manufacturing and structured problem-solving experience, including 5S, standard work, visual management, A3, or 8D.
• Experience with ERP/MES systems, production metrics, capacity planning, scheduling, and manufacturing flow.
• Demonstrated ability to build teams, coach employees, and lead through growth or operational transformation.
• Ability to work onsite in Kalamazoo, Michigan and travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer priorities.
• Drive production performance using KPIs including OEE, first-pass yield, on-time delivery, cycle time, and labor efficiency.
• Optimize wire harness processes including cutting, stripping, crimping, soldering, assembly, testing, and inspection.
• Implement wire processing equipment, automated systems, smartBuild formboards, tooling, and digital manufacturing technologies.
• Lead Lean continuous improvement efforts to reduce waste, improve quality, and increase production efficiency.
• Partner with Engineering on manufacturability, capacity, production requirements, and process improvements.
• Build and develop a high-performing team of supervisors, engineers, technicians, and production operators.
• Own plant safety, quality, and compliance, including IPC/WHMA-A-620, AS9100, ISO 13485, and ITAR requirements.
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective actions, quality audits, inspection, and testing activities.
• Manage key plant financial drivers, capital equipment investments, manufacturing costs, and capacity planning.
• Support customer requirements, quoting, business reviews, and strategic growth initiatives.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Wire harness experience

Lean manufacturing

ERP/MES knowledge

Team development

Problem solving (A3/8D)

Education

10+ years manufacturing ops or related field

Tools

Komax equipment

Schleuniger equipment

Industrial automation tools

Job description

Re:Build Harness Solutions is seeking an experienced manufacturing leader to head wire harness operations at our Kalamazoo, Michigan facility. You will build safe, reliable, and high-quality processes that meet cost and delivery commitments, using KPIs like OEE, first-pass yield, cycle time, and labor efficiency.

You will develop a high-performing team, implement digital manufacturing technologies, and partner with Engineering to scale low-volume, high-mix production while traveling up to 10%