Manufacturing Manager

Precision Optics Corporation; Gardner (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Precision Optics Corporation in Gardner, MA is seeking a seasoned manufacturing leader to drive day-to-day operations across production lines. You will supervise supervisors and direct-labor, manage staffing, and coordinate with Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget.

Applicants should have 8+ years in manufacturing with 3+ years in leadership, and strong experience in Lean, GMP, and ERP/MRP systems.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, incl. 3+ years leading supervisors.
• Experience in low-/medium-volume, high-mix, regulated manufacturing preferred.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, labor management, capacity analysis, inventory control, and quality systems.
• Proficiency in Lean, 5S, value-stream improvement, root-cause analysis, and CAPA methods.
• Proven ability to lead through change and communicate across shifts and functions.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, routers, BOMs, and work instructions.
• Experience with ERP/MRP and manufacturing execution tools.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day manufacturing operations for assigned lines, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
• Lead and develop production supervisors, team leads, and direct-labor staff; manage staffing and overtime.
• Plan staffing by shift/work center based on demand and capacity; monitor labor efficiency and absenteeism.
• Lead daily management, production meetings, and floor walks; escalate constraints and drive corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with procedures, quality systems, GMP, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Quality, Planning, Supply Chain, and Engineering to drive improvements and audits.
• Drive Lean initiatives, visual management, and data-based problem solving; monitor KPIs.
• Coordinate training, qualifications, and staffing records; support HR processes.
• Manage operating plans and budgets for labor, supplies, and equipment; identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Support multiple shifts, travel to other locations, and maintain a safe, inclusive workplace.

Skills

Leadership

Lean

Quality systems

Staffing planning

Root-cause analysis

Process improvement

Drawing interpretation

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/operations/business

Lean Six Sigma desirable

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

Description

Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across assigned production lines to deliver safe, compliant, high-quality products on schedule and at planned cost. Direct and develop production supervisors, leads, and direct-labor employees; manage staffing, capacity, workflow, and performance; and partner with Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other functions to drive continuous improvement, operational discipline, and customer satisfaction.

• Own daily performance of assigned production lines, including safety, quality, delivery, labor efficiency, output, scrap, and schedule attainment.
• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, team leads, and direct-labor employees; set clear expectations and reinforce accountability.
• Plan staffing and labor allocation by shift and work center based on demand, skills, capacity, and production priorities; manage overtime and contingent labor responsibly.
• Conduct tiered daily management, production meetings, and floor walks; escalade constraints and ensure timely corrective actions.
• Ensure products are manufactured in accordance with approved procedures, specifications, work instructions, quality-system requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices, and applicable regulations.
• Partner with Quality to investigate nonconformances, implement corrective and preventive actions, maintain traceability, and support audits.
• Partner with Planning and Supply Chain to align schedules, material availability, work-in-process, inventory, and shipment priorities.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering and Maintenance to improve processes, resolve equipment issues, introduce new products, validate processes, and sustain preventive maintenance.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, root-cause analysis, standard work, visual management, and data-based problem solving.
• Monitor and communicate key performance indicators, including safety, first-pass yield, scrap, throughput, on-time delivery, labor efficiency, absenteeism, and training status.
• Ensure employees are trained and qualified for assigned tasks; maintain skills matrices, cross-training plans, and required training records.
• Support employee selection, onboarding, performance management, recognition, attendance administration, and corrective action in partnership with Human Resources.
• Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace; ensure adherence to environmental, health, safety, security, and company policies.
• Develop and manage operating plans and budgets for labor, supplies, tooling, and equipment; identify and deliver productivity and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Perform other duties and support company goals as assigned.

Requirements

Training, Skills, Knowledge and/or Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive manufacturing experience, including at least 3 years leading supervisors, team leads, or a sizable direct-labor workforce.
• Demonstrated success managing production lines in a low- to medium-volume, high-mix environment; regulated medical-device, aerospace, defense, or similarly controlled manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, labor management, capacity analysis, standard work, inventory control, quality systems, and equipment reliability.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, 5S, value-stream improvement, root-cause analysis, and corrective and preventive action methods.
• Proven ability to lead through change, coach employees, manage competing priorities, and communicate effectively across shifts and functions.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, routers, work instructions, bills of material, and production and quality data.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Word, and Excel experience with manufacturing execution or digital production-management system.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing leadership experience.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification is desirable

Supervisory Responsibility

Directly manages production supervisors and/or team leads and has overall leadership responsibility for assigned direct-labor employees. Responsibilities include workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance management, recognition, and corrective action.

Working Conditions

This job operates in office, manufacturing, engineering laboratory, and ISO Class 7/8 cleanroom environments. Required personal protective equipment must be worn in controlled environments and cleanrooms.

Physical surroundings

The role routinely uses standard office equipment and spends significant time on the production floor around electrical and mechanical equipment, tools, materials, and manufacturing processes.

Physical Effort

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, communicate, use hands to handle tools and products, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must be able to move safely throughout manufacturing and laboratory areas and perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Schedule / Travel

In-person, Monday through Friday, based primarily in Gardner, MA and 20% in Littleton, MA. Flexibility is required to support multiple shifts, production needs, and occasional off-hours issues. Occasional travel of up to 15% may be required, including visits to other company locations.

Other Requirements

Applicants must have U.S. person status.