Operations Manager – Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS / PCBA)

J&T; Seymour (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

J&T is seeking an Operations Manager for Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS/PCBA) in Seymour, CT. You will direct daily manufacturing and warehouse operations, drive safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people metrics, and report to the Vice President of Operations.

You will lead scheduling, SMT line optimization, and Lean initiatives, partnering across Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and QA to meet OTD targets and foster continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership in EMS/contract electronics manufacturing.
• Experience leading high-mix, low-to-medium volume electronics assemblies (SMT, through-hole, box build, test).
• Background in ISO 9001, ISO 13485, AS9100, ITAR environments; Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop production supervisors, line leads, and frontline personnel across PCBA manufacturing and materials handling.
• Establish performance benchmarks tied to SQDCP metrics across shifts.
• Drive Lean initiatives: 5S, Kanban, PDCA; lead Kaizen events and root-cause problem solving.
• Coordinate daily schedules across SMT, PTH, wave soldering, box build, and testing to ensure OTD.
• Maximize OEE and SMT utilization; implement SMED and preventive maintenance planning.
• Collaborate with Master Scheduling/Planning using ERP and shop-floor management tools.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Production scheduling

PCBA

Continuous improvement

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

JobPack

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Operations Manager – Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS / PCBA)

Location: Seymour, CT

Position Type: Full-Time

Department: Manufacturing Operations & Supply Chain

Reporting Line: Vice President of Operations

Career Trajectory: Clear succession path to Director of Operations

Position Overview

The Operations Manager – Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS / PCBA) directs the daily execution of plant manufacturing and warehouse operations within a high-mix, low-to-medium volume contract electronics manufacturing environment. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations, this leader owns operational performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP) through rigorous production control, shop-floor discipline, and workforce development.

Working in close alignment with Production Supervisors, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality Assurance, the Operations Manager drives schedule adherence, maximizes surface-mount technology (SMT) line utilization, and champions Lean manufacturing methodologies. This role serves as a crucial operational anchor with a clear, defined growth trajectory toward an executive Director-level role.

Leadership Responsibilities

Supervise, mentor, and evaluate production supervisors, line leads, and frontline operational personnel across PCBA manufacturing and materials handling.

Establish and drive performance benchmarks tied to SQDCP metrics across all operating shifts.

Facilitate proactive workforce development through structured technical training, cross-training matrices, coaching, and regular performance evaluations.

Lead daily operational stand-ups and tiered gemba meetings to address line bottlenecks, clear material constraints, and resolve production blockers.

Foster a plant-wide culture of safety, mutual accountability, operational ownership, and continuous waste reduction.

Direct workforce capacity planning and labor balancing to match staffing levels with dynamic build schedules and throughput targets.

Ensure consistent enforcement of operational policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and workplace safety regulations.

Coordinate daily manufacturing schedules across SMT lines, PTH/through-hole assembly, selective/wave soldering, mechanical box build, and functional testing to guarantee on-time delivery (OTD).

Maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and SMT line utilization through rapid changeover techniques (SMED), feeder setup optimization, and coordinated preventative maintenance windows.

Partner with Master Scheduling and Planning to optimize build sequences using ERP and shop-floor management tools (e.g., JobPack).

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence:

Implement and sustain Lean manufacturing practices, including 5S workplace organization, visual management controls, Kanban replenishment, and root-cause problem solving (A3/8D).

Manage direct and indirect labor efficiency through standard work instructions, line balancing, and cycle-time reduction initiatives.

Maintain operational transparency via real-time production dashboards, line boards, and performance KPIs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Regulatory Compliance:

Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to support seamless New Product Introductions (NPI), DFM enhancements, and process validations.

Coordinate with Purchasing, Sourcing, and Warehouse teams to maintain inventory accuracy, resolve component shortages, and ensure timely line-side staging.

Ensure operational alignment with stringent regulatory and quality frameworks, including ISO 9001, ISO 13485 (Medical), AS9100 (Aerospace/Defense), and ITAR compliance standards.

Champion environmental, health, and safety (EHS) policies to sustain a zero-incident work environment.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Manufacturing, Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial), Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline required.

Professional Experience:

Minimum 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, with significant, documented success within the Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) / contract manufacturing sector.

Proven experience managing high-mix, low-to-medium volume electronic assemblies, including SMT, through-hole, box build, and test operations.

Demonstrated background operating within certified quality frameworks such as ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, and ITAR-controlled environments.

Continuous Improvement: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification strongly preferred; demonstrated mastery of 5S, value stream mapping, and Kaizen leadership.

Systems Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of manufacturing ERP/MRP systems, production scheduling platforms (such as JobPack or equivalent MES), and business reporting tools.

Core Competencies: Data-driven decision-making ability, decisive problem-solving acumen, exceptional cross-functional collaboration, and professional verbal and written communication skills.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Split between a professional office setting and an active electronics manufacturing and warehouse environment.

Ability to move throughout production, stockroom, and testing areas for extended periods to observe operations and engage with floor personnel.

Ability to stand, bend, stretch, squat, and occasionally lift up to 15 lbs.

Adherence to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines, including ESD protection standards (smocks, heel straps, grounding devices) in designated ESD-sensitive production areas.