External Manufacturing Manager

External Manufacturing Planning ManagerZwitterCo is seeking a highly hands-on and proactive External Manufacturing Planning Manager to join our Operations Team. This hybrid role is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of outsourced manufacturing and material flow—from supplier selection and onboarding through production planning, execution, and continuous improvement.You will own the relationships with contract manufacturers while simultaneously balancing supply, demand, inventory, and capacity in a fast-paced startup environment. This role requires a blend of technical judgment and analytical rigor to build scalable systems during a period of rapid growth.ZwitterCo has developed a breakthrough in materials science - a new class of zwitterionic membranes with unprecedented fouling resistance. Our membrane solutions perform beyond the limits of traditional filtration, making it practical to treat complex wastewater, purify water for reuse, and maximize efficiency in food processing applications.ZwitterCo serves customers in more than 20 countries across food and beverage, agricultural, and industrial sectors. We are rapidly investing in our technology, equipment, and global services platform to help our industrial customers achieve their most ambitious sustainability and growth targets.Key Responsibilities:Serve as the primary point of contact for all contract manufacturers and key external suppliersLead supplier selection, qualification, and onboarding activitiesDefine and manage manufacturing scope, responsibilities, and expectations with partnersBuild strong, collaborative relationships while holding suppliers accountable to performance targetsAct as a central point of coordination between Sales, Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply ChainDevelop and maintain short- and mid-term supply plans based on forecasts, sales orders, and production capacityTranslate demand signals into detailed material, purchasing, and production plansMonitor build progress, material readiness, and capacity to proactively identify risks or lead time constraintsAdjust plans quickly in response to changing priorities and conduct scenario planning for rapid growth or disruptionSupport production ramp-ups, transfers, and scale-up activitiesManage inventory levels and set targets to support production while minimizing obsolescenceAnalyze inventory health, turns, and usage trendsCoordinate material availability and manage expediting or de-expediting as neededSupport cycle counts, inventory accuracy, and reconciliation activitiesEnsure external manufacturing processes meet internal quality standards and customer requirementsPartner with Quality and Engineering on nonconformance investigations, root cause analysis, and CAPAsSupport the development and enforcement of quality agreements, control plans, and inspection requirementsOwn supplier cost structures, quotations, and make/buy decision-makingTrack and analyze supplier and planning KPIs, including on-time delivery, yield, scrap, and forecast accuracyPartner with R&D and Engineering to support New Product Introduction and scale-up at external manufacturersEnsure design intent, specifications, and manufacturing requirements are clearly transferred to partnersSupport process development, validation, and production readiness for ramp-ups or transfersManage engineering changes, configuration control at supplier sitesHelp build and document scalable manufacturing and planning workflows appropriate for a growing operationSupport ERP/MRP integration, system upgrades, and data accuracy related to external manufacturingTrack and analyze key planning and supplier KPIs, such as on-time delivery, yield, scrap, and forecast accuracyMaintain planning data and provide clear, actionable updates to operations leadershipCritical Success Factors:Experience supporting manufacturing scale-ups, production ramp-ups, transfers, and supplier transitions within fast-growth organizationsStrong understanding of manufacturing processes and production operations with a focus on execution and follow-throughHighly adaptable, proactive problem-solver with strong attention to detail and the ability to work effectively in evolving environmentsClear communicator with excellent negotiation skills who can balance collaboration with accountabilityStrong execution focus that balances a sense of urgency with accuracy and operational disciplineWillingness to roll up sleeves to support operational execution and travel to supplier sites as neededRequired Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related technical field7-10 years of total experience in manufacturing, supply chain, or operations roles, with a minimum of 5 years specifically in supply chain, materials, or production planning3+ years of direct experience managing contract manufacturers or outsourced productionDeep understanding of supply chain fundamentals, including Bill of Materials (BOMs), routing processes, lead time determination, MOQ, capacity planning, and inventory managementHighly proficient in utilizing ERP/MRP systems (such as NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle) and managing supply chain dataData-driven mindset with strong Excel/spreadsheet skills and the ability to work effectively with limited historical data or imperfect informationExperience in a high-tech startup, scale-up, or fast-growth environment with exposure to supplier qualification, quality systems, and external auditsPreferred Qualifications:Experience in hardware, industrial, or manufacturing-heavy high-tech startupsBackground in regulated or quality-critical industries a plusTraining/experience in lean manufacturing, project management or continuous improvement methodologiesSchedule, Travel, Compensation, and Location:This is a full-time position in Woburn, MA and can be remote if in Pacific Time Zone.Travel for this role can be up to 50%, depending on location.Compensation ranges from $120,000–$150,000 annually, plus equity and benefits, depending on location and experience.This position reports to the VP of Operations.