Manufacturing/Production Leader

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.; Elkton (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Day 1 benefits eligibility

Total rewards program

Job summary

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

is seeking a Production Leader for the Wire & Cable manufacturing team at the Fair Hill site in Elkton, MD. This role leads 1–2 Area Leaders and ~30 Associates across multiple lines and shifts, overseeing safety, quality, delivery and cost. The position is day shift, Monday–Friday, collaborating with Engineering, Quality, Planning and Maintenance to translate business strategy into actionable manufacturing plans and to develop a skilled, engaged team in a diverse,

Qualifications

• 3+ years of operational leadership experience or 5+ years in lieu of a degree.
• Experience leading Area Leaders or supervisors and developing others.
• Ability to translate strategy into a manufacturing execution plan.
• Proven ability to apply data analysis and Lean principles to problems.
• Fairly address performance issues while fostering inclusion.
• Knowledge of EH&S requirements and quality systems.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Maintenance.
• Strong communication skills and experience presenting to leadership.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel; SAP and MES experience.
• Willingness to travel up to 5%.

Responsibilities

• Lead a manufacturing department through a team of Area Leaders, coaching and developing them across multiple production lines and shifts.
• Own short-to-mid-term (0-2 year) strategy execution and operational direction for the area, translating business and supply chain priorities into clear manufacturing goals and plans.
• Plan, direct, and monitor production to meet established schedule, volume, cost, waste, and quality targets.
• Create and maintain a safe and engaging work environment by driving adherence to safety procedures, completing safety investigations, and addressing gaps in safety and ergonomics.
• Ensure the manufacturing floor is compliant with all quality system requirements and regulations; drive quality investigations and corrective actions and represent the team during audits.
• Develop short- and mid-term staffing, equipment, and capacity plans and prioritize maintenance and downtime, partnering with Manufacturing Engineering, Planning, Supply & Logistics, Sales, and Repair & Maintenance.
• Set team performance goals; review and report key metrics (safety, yield, nonconformances, scrap, downtime, performance to plan, overtime) and initiate actions to close gaps.
• Teach continuous improvement principles, implement Lean tools and programs (6S, value stream mapping, daily management), and drive mid-term improvement projects.
• Manage area costs and approved investments, including providing input to the annual financial forecast, reviewing material variances, and approving overtime.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, performance management, compensation, and succession planning to build a diverse, inclusive, and capable team, and represent the area across departments and to business leadership.

Skills

Operational leadership

Leading leaders

Lean principles

Data analysis

Microsoft Excel

SAP

MES platforms

Communication

Travel up to 5%

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

MES platforms

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for a Production Leader to join our Wire & Cable manufacturing team at our Fair Hill site, supporting the Aerospace & Defense and Semiconductor businesses. This is a leader-of-leaders position that will lead a team of 1-2 Area Leaders and approximately 30 Associates across multiple lines and shifts. The Production Leader is responsible for the short-to-mid-term execution, performance, and assets of the manufacturing team, including safety, quality, compliance, delivery, and cost. This role translates business strategy into manufacturing plans, partners closely with Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Maintenance, and develops a skilled, engaged team within a respectful and inclusive environment. This is a day shift, Monday - Friday.

This role will be located at our facility in Elkton, Maryland.

Pay and Benefits

• $110,000 - $130,000 per year
• Roles above $150k are eligible for the variable pay program each fiscal year, based on defined business performance metrics.
• Factors considered in extending an offer within this pay range include (but not limited to) education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits effective on Day 1 of employment! We offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive benefits. More details are available at www.gore.com/careers/benefits

Responsibilities

• Lead a manufacturing department through a team of Area Leaders, coaching and developing them across multiple production lines and shifts
• Own short-to-mid-term (0-2 year) strategy execution and operational direction for the area, translating business and supply chain priorities into clear manufacturing goals and plans
• Plan, direct, and monitor production to meet established schedule, volume, cost, waste, and quality targets
• Create and maintain a safe and engaging work environment by driving adherence to safety procedures, completing safety investigations, and addressing gaps in safety and ergonomics
• Ensure the manufacturing floor is compliant with all quality system requirements and regulations; drive quality investigations and corrective actions and represent the team during audits
• Develop short- and mid-term staffing, equipment, and capacity plans and prioritize maintenance and downtime, partnering with Manufacturing Engineering, Planning, Supply & Logistics, Sales, and Repair & Maintenance
• Set team performance goals; review and report key metrics (safety, yield, nonconformances, scrap, downtime, performance to plan, overtime) and initiate actions to close gaps
• Teach continuous improvement principles, implement Lean tools and programs (6S, value stream mapping, daily management), and drive mid-term improvement projects
• Manage area costs and approved investments, including providing input to the annual financial forecast, reviewing material variances, and approving overtime
• Lead hiring, onboarding, performance management, compensation, and succession planning to build a diverse, inclusive, and capable team, and represent the area across departments and to business leadership

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 3 years of operational leadership experience, OR a minimum of 5 years of operational/technical leadership experience in lieu of a degree
• Experience leading leaders (e.g., Area Leaders or supervisors) and developing others through coaching, feedback, and performance management
• Demonstrated ability to translate business strategy into a manufacturing execution plan, including staffing, equipment, and capacity plans to meet current and future demand
• Demonstrated ability to apply data, problem-solving methodology, and Lean principles to complex, ambiguous problems to understand root cause and implement solutions
• Demonstrated ability to fairly and directly address performance issues, establish expectations, and hold others accountable while maintaining a respectful and inclusive work environment
• Knowledge of applicable EH&S requirements and quality management systems and regulations, with a strong commitment to product quality
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and influence across functions, including Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Maintenance
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with experience generating and analyzing reports, preparing and delivering presentations, and leading meetings including daily management Tier 2 and Tier 3 meetings
• Proficient in computer systems, including Microsoft Excel and hands‑on experience with SAP and MES platforms
• Ability to travel up to 5%

Desired Qualifications

• Experience leading manufacturing operations within an AS9100-certified quality system

This position requires access to export-controlled areas and information. Candidates must be "U.S. persons" as that term is defined in 8 USC *1324b(a)(3). The term "U.S. persons" includes US citizens, resident aliens ("green-card" holders) as well as certain refugees, asylum-holders and residents qualifying for temporary residence under the terms of 8 USC *1255a.

What We Offer

Our success is based on the capability and creativity of our Associates, and we are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive total rewards program that supports your everyday and helps you build your tomorrow.
We provide benefits that offer choice and flexibility and promote overall well-being. And in keeping with our belief that every Associate should share in the collective success of the enterprise; we provide a distinctive Associate Stock Ownership Plan in each country as well as potential opportunities for "profit-sharing". Learn more at gore.com/careers/benefits
Gore is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, status as a qualified individual with a disability, genetic information, pregnancy status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran, gender identity and expression, and any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
Gore is committed to a drug-free workplace. All employment is contingent upon successful completion of drug and background screening. Gore will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, e.g., arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws.
Gore requires all applicants to be eligible to work within the United States. Gore generally will not sponsor visas unless otherwise noted on the position description.