Site Technical Manager - Smartphone

OpenKrill; United States; Remote; USD 52,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Impact on electronics industry

International team

Competitive salary

Annual leave and holidays per law

Job summary

Fairphone is seeking an on-site Technical Owner at the factory in China to manage production output, ramp-up readiness, and continuous improvement for mass production of mobile devices. You will coordinate with engineering, quality, and procurement teams while driving cost efficiency and on-time delivery.

The role requires 5+ years in mobile phone manufacturing, and fluency in English and Mandarin to collaborate with international teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or a related field.
• Experience managing contract manufacturers and vendor relationships.
• At least 5 years of experience in mobile phone manufacturing processes.
• Fluency in English and Mandarin, with ability to collaborate with international teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as on-site technical owner at the factory for product manufacturing, overseeing production output and providing daily status reports.
• Drive ramp-up readiness at contract manufacturers and optimize processes, tooling, and fixtures to reduce costs.
• Ensure on-time delivery across contract manufacturers and sub-suppliers.
• Lead manufacturers in analyzing production issues, identifying root causes, and driving continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality, procurement, and operations to mitigate mass production risks.
• Conduct regular in-process audits and Open Box Audits to ensure product quality.

Skills

Contract manufacturers management

Vendor relationships

English & Mandarin fluency

Mobile phone manufacturing

Lean Six Sigma knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering/Manufacturing/Quality

Job description

About FairphoneFairphone is more than just a company - we are a global leader in sustainable, modular electronics, on a mission to change the electronics industry from the inside out. Built on strong social and environmental values, we are a diverse and inclusive team from all walks of life creating market consumer electronics that make a real impact.

At Fairphone, you will find a supportive and safe space where everyone can be themselves, collaborate openly, and have the freedom to learn and grow - because that’s how we innovate and drive change together!

So… are you a proactive, self-motivated team player who loves taking initiative and bringing positive energy? Do you thrive in a fast-moving start-up or scale-up environment? Are you a great communicator who values collaboration and embraces different perspectives? And most importantly, do you feel a strong connection to Fairphone’s mission and values? If you're nodding along and thinking, “Yes, that’s me!”, then check out our vacancy below!

Please know that we acknowledge that we are living in a time where the use of AI can bring many efficiencies and support. However, we want to know the real YOU. Please try to limit the use of AI tools to generate answers to the application; we value authenticity and encourage you to use your creativity!Location: China (you should have the right to work in the country)Hours: 40 hours per weekStart: ASAPDeadline to apply: We review applications on a rolling basis. Please apply as soon as possible.

Key Responsibilities & Objectives

• Serve as the on-site technical owner at the factory for Fairphone product manufacturing, resolving technical issues and overseeing production output, capacity planning, and factory performance. Provide daily manufacturing status reports.
• Drive ramp-up readiness at contract manufacturers and optimize production processes, assembly workflows, tooling, and test fixtures. Continuously improve efficiency and reduce costs throughout the product lifecycle.
• Ensure on-time delivery across contract manufacturers and sub-suppliers.
• Lead contract manufacturers in analyzing production issues, identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality, procurement, and operations teams to identify and mitigate risks that could affect mass production.
• Conduct regular in-process audits and Open Box Audits (OBA) to ensure outgoing products meet quality standards.

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or a related field.
• Experience managing contract manufacturers and vendor relationships.
• At least 5 years of experience in mobile phone manufacturing processes.
• Fluency in English and Mandarin, with the ability to collaborate effectively with international teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-volume production ramp-up and mass production in consumer electronics.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

What Fairphone can offer you?

• The opportunity to create an impact on the electronics industry around the world.
• A diverse work environment full of international, passionate, warm-hearted team members.
• Competitive salary aligned with market standards.
• Statutory paid annual leave (10 days upon joining), public holidays, and rest days in accordance with the labour law.
• Social benefits & contributions made by both employer and employee as required under Chinese law.
• Professional development opportunities for training, skill development, and career advancement.