Plant Manager

Re Build; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

Re:Build Manufacturing is seeking an experienced manufacturing leader to run wire harness operations in Kalamazoo, MI. You will drive safety, quality, and on-time delivery while building scalable, digitally connected processes.

You bring 10+ years in manufacturing with 5+ years in plant management, plus hands-on wire harness expertise and Lean problem-solving skills. On-site work in Kalamazoo with light travel is required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of manufacturing operations experience with 5+ years in plant or production leadership.
• Direct experience in wire harness, cable assembly, or electro-mechanical manufacturing.
• Experience scaling low-volume, high-mix operations with focus on quality, cost, and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations with safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer priorities.
• Drive production performance using KPIs (OEE, first-pass yield, on-time delivery, cycle time, labor efficiency).
• Optimize wire harness processes (cutting, stripping, crimping, soldering, assembly, testing, inspection).
• Implement wire processing equipment and digital manufacturing technologies.
• Lead Lean continuous improvement to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with Engineering on manufacturability and capacity.
• Build and develop a high-performing team of supervisors, engineers, technicians, and operators.
• Own plant safety, quality, and compliance (IPC/WHMA-A-620, AS9100, ISO 13485, ITAR).
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective actions, audits, testing.
• Manage plant financials, capital equipment investments, costs, capacity planning.
• Support customer requirements, quoting, business reviews, and growth initiatives.

Skills

Manufacturing operations

Wire harness experience

Low-volume high-mix

Wire processing equipment

IPC/WHMA-A-620 knowledge

ITAR familiarity

Lean & problem-solving

ERP/MES systems

Team leadership

Onsite Kalamazoo travel

Tools

Komax

Schleuniger

Job description

AtRe:Build, our mission is to ensure the next generation of important products are made, at scale, in America. We are laying the foundation for a better future for our customers, employees, and communities by revitalizing America's manufacturing base and creating meaningful jobs across the country, including in historically deindustrialized regions.

We operate an advanced, end-to-end manufacturing platform that partners with industrial companies and innovators to take products from first concept to full-scale production in critical verticals including aerospace and defense, electrification, medical, energy and environment, and robotics and automation.

The way we operate is as important as the work we do. It's guided by TheRe:BuildWay, 16 principles that shape how we collaborate with each other, partner with our customers and vendors, and contribute to the communities where we operate. (link to The Re:Build Way principles)

Who We Are Looking For

Re:Build Harness Solutions is looking for an experienced manufacturing leader to lead wire harness operations at our Kalamazoo, Michigan facility. You bring direct experience in wire harness, cable assembly, or electro-mechanical manufacturing and know how to build safe, reliable operations that deliver on quality, cost, and customer commitments.

You are a hands-on, metrics-driven leader who develops strong teams and scalable manufacturing systems. You use measures such as OEE, first-pass yield, cycle time, labor efficiency, safety, and on-time delivery to drive improvement and make informed decisions.

This is an opportunity to help build a digitally integrated wire harness operation and establish the processes, technology, and workforce capabilities needed to support continued growth.

What You Get To Do

• Lead daily manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer priorities.
• Drive production performance using KPIs including OEE, first-pass yield, on-time delivery, cycle time, and labor efficiency.
• Optimize wire harness processes including cutting, stripping, crimping, soldering, assembly, testing, and inspection.
• Implement wire processing equipment, automated systems, smartBuild formboards, tooling, and digital manufacturing technologies.
• Lead Lean continuous improvement efforts to reduce waste, improve quality, and increase production efficiency.
• Partner with Engineering on manufacturability, capacity, production requirements, and process improvements.
• Build and develop a high-performing team of supervisors, engineers, technicians, and production operators.
• Own plant safety, quality, and compliance, including applicable IPC/WHMA-A-620, AS9100, ISO 13485, and ITAR requirements.
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective actions, quality audits, inspection, and testing activities.
• Manage key plant financial drivers, capital equipment investments, manufacturing costs, and capacity planning.
• Support customer requirements, quoting, business reviews, and strategic growth initiatives.

What You Bring To The Team

• 10+ years of manufacturing operations experience, including 5+ years in plant or production management leading teams of 20+.
• Direct wire harness, cable assembly, or electro-mechanical manufacturing experience.
• Experience scaling low-volume, high-mix operations and improving quality, cost, and delivery.
• Strong knowledge of wire cutting, stripping, crimping, soldering, assembly, testing, and wire harness workmanship standards.
• Hands-on experience with wire processing equipment such as Komax, Schleuniger, or equivalent systems.
• Knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620 and familiarity with ITAR-controlled manufacturing environments.
• Strong Lean manufacturing and structured problem-solving experience, including 5S, standard work, visual management, A3, or 8D.
• Experience with ERP/MES systems, production metrics, capacity planning, scheduling, and manufacturing flow.
• Demonstrated ability to build teams, coach employees, and lead through growth or operational transformation.
• Ability to work onsite in Kalamazoo, Michigan and travel up to 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• IPC/WHMA-A-620 Certified IPC Specialist or Trainer.
• AS9100 or ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
• OSHA certification.

Compensation

The base salary range for this position is $120,000 – $180,000 per year. This range represents the Company’s good faith estimate of the base compensation for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for annual incentive compensation and/or long-term incentives, subject to Company plans. The Company offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, and other benefits.

The BIG payoff

We are a company who is going to make a difference in the industries and the communities in which we choose to operate. Every employee of Re:Build will share ownership in the company and will share in the financial rewards of the success we achieve together, at all levels of the company!

We want to work with people that reflect the communities in which we operate

Re:Build Manufacturing is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affinitive Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Re:Build is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail] or you may call us at 617.909.6275.