Operations Manager – Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS / PCBA)

J T; Seymour (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

J T is seeking an Operations Manager for Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS/PCBA) in Seymour, CT. The role directs daily plant manufacturing and warehouse operations in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume environment, reporting to the Vice President of Operations.

You will drive SQDCP performance, lead supervisors and technicians, implement Lean practices, and ensure compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 13485, AS9100 and ITAR. Growth toward an executive Director-level path is emphasized.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership in EMS/contract manufacturing
• Experience with high-mix, low-to-medium volume electronic assemblies
• Experience with ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485 and ITAR environments

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor production supervisors and line leads across PCBA manufacturing
• Drive SQDCP metrics through production control and lean practices
• Coordinate daily manufacturing schedules across SMT, PTH, box build, and testing
• Implement Lean 5S, Kanban, and Kaizen initiatives
• Maintain real-time dashboards and KPIs for transparency

Skills

Data-driven decision making

Decisive problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Manufacturing, Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial), Operations Management, Business Administration, or related

Tools

JobPack

ERP/MRP systems

Business reporting tools

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.