Manufacturing Manager

Frey Consulting Group; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Reliance One, Inc. is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Manager to lead cross-functional manufacturing and engineering initiatives from concept through implementation and end-of-life.

The role emphasizes project execution, process improvement, people development, and building a strong manufacturing strategy across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Sales, suppliers, and customers. A hands-on leader who balances technical depth with people leadership will thrive in this position.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive engineering/manufacturing experience.
• Leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, testing, and process improvement.
• Experience managing technical projects from concept through production.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, automation, and/or manufacturing cost reduction.
• Strong project management and planning capabilities.
• Excellent technical and operational problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop technical teams.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing and engineering projects from concept through implementation and end of life, completing on time and within budget.
• Direct resources, establish priorities, assign responsibilities, track progress, and resolve roadblocks.
• Mentor and develop engineers while establishing engineering best practices and improving processes.
• Identify and implement manufacturing process improvements, new technologies, automation, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Evaluate existing processes and recommend improvements for quality, efficiency, manufacturability, and cost.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Sales, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to execute projects.
• Work with customers to understand requirements, resolve challenges, and identify cost/ manufacturability improvements.
• Support project planning including timing, staffing, budgets, and capital needs.
• Provide technical guidance to project teams and resolve complex issues.
• Drive continuous improvement across manufacturing and engineering operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment utilization and testing.

Skills

Leadership experience

Project management

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Reliance One, Inc. is hiring an experienced Manufacturing Manager for one of our trusted clients in the manufacturing industry.

The Manufacturing Manager will lead manufacturing and engineering initiatives from concept through implementation, with responsibility for project execution, technical problem-solving, process improvement, team development, and manufacturing strategy.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong manufacturing background along with the ability to manage multiple projects, solve complex technical problems, and work effectively across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Sales, suppliers, and customers.

This position is ideal for a hands-on manufacturing leader who can balance technical expertise with people leadership, project management, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing and engineering projects from initial concept through implementation and end of life, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget
• Direct project resources, establish priorities, assign responsibilities, track progress, and resolve technical or operational roadblocks
• Lead, mentor, and develop engineers while establishing engineering best practices and improving internal processes and systems
• Identify and implement manufacturing process improvements, new technologies, automation opportunities, and cost-reduction initiatives
• Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and recommend alternative solutions to improve quality, efficiency, manufacturability, and cost
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Sales, suppliers, and other cross-functional teams to successfully execute projects
• Work directly with customers to understand technical requirements, resolve manufacturing challenges, and identify opportunities to improve product cost and manufacturability
• Support project planning, including timing, staffing, resource requirements, budgets, and capital needs
• Provide technical guidance to project teams and assist in resolving complex manufacturing and engineering issues
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout manufacturing and engineering operations
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment utilization, tooling, testing, automation, and overall manufacturing performance
• Support the development and execution of long-term manufacturing and engineering strategies
• Monitor project performance and proactively address potential risks, delays, and resource constraints
• Promote collaboration and accountability across technical and operational teams

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive engineering and/or manufacturing experience
• Previous leadership, management, or supervisory experience strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, testing, and process improvement
• Demonstrated experience managing technical projects from concept through production
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, automation, and/or manufacturing cost reduction highly desirable
• Strong project management and planning capabilities
• Excellent technical and operational problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop technical teams
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and competing priorities
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively with customers, suppliers, engineering teams, operations, and senior leadership
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, or a related technical field preferred
• Equivalent manufacturing engineering experience will also be considered

Ideal Candidate

The ideal Manufacturing Manager combines strong technical manufacturing knowledge with proven leadership capabilities. This individual should be comfortable working both strategically and hands-on—developing teams, managing complex projects, evaluating manufacturing processes, introducing new technology, and resolving challenges on the production floor.

Success in this role requires someone who can see the bigger picture while still digging into the technical details necessary to improve quality, efficiency, cost, and manufacturability.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader looking to make a significant impact on engineering operations, manufacturing performance, technology implementation, and continuous improvement.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Reliance One, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reliance One, Inc. also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, and observances, as required by applicable law.