Senior Manufacturing Manager

Job Summary

The Senior Manufacturing Manager in Heavy Industrial Manufacturing directs all large-scale plant operations and maintenance functions. This leadership role focuses on maximizing heavy equipment utilization, driving high-volume throughput, and enforcing rigorous industrial safety & quality standards. The ideal candidate optimizes complex, capital-intensive manufacturing lines while leading multi-layered teams of supervisors and skilled labor. This position reports to the Plant Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Direct large-scale assembly , machining, fabrication, welding, or heavy component casting operations.
• Works with Plant Manager to develop long-term business plans , operational budgets, capital expenditure (CapEx) proposals, and technical strategies.
• Coordinate production schedules with logistics, procurement, and supply chain teams to hit delivery windows.
• Analyze operational data to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce scrap rates, and lower overall cost per unit.

Safety, Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Enforce zero-harm safety cultures , upholding OSHA, environmental, and specialized heavy industry regulations.
• Implement robust Quality Management Systems (QMS) to guarantee zero-defect heavy engineering outputs.
• Lead root-cause investigations for major machinery failures, safety incidents, or structural quality deviations.

Continuous Improvement & Maintenance

• Drive Lean Manufacturing , Six Sigma, and 5S initiatives tailored to heavy industrial footprints.
• Oversee preventative maintenance plans for massive capital assets, heavy machinery, and PLC control infrastructure.
• Optimize floor layouts to enhance safety, material handling efficiency, and physical ergonomics.

Team Development & Culture

• Manage first-line supervisors & shift leaders.
• Mentor high-potential employees to build a reliable talent pipeline for multi-shift operations.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• On-Time In-Full (OTIF) Delivery
• Cost Per Ton / Unit Produced
• Scrap, Rework, and Waste Reduction %

Qualifications & Requirements

REQUIRED Experience

• 7+ years of experience in heavy industrial manufacturing (e.g., aerospace, automotive, steel, mining, defense, or heavy equipment).
• 5+ years of direct managerial experience overseeing multi-shift operations or entire plant departments.
• 3+ years of experience working with equipment that is for forming, punching, press operations with steel or comparable metal
• 3+ years of experience working or overseeing MIG welding operations.

Technical & Soft Skills

• Deep knowledge of heavy processes like industrial CNC machining, complex electrical infrastructure, welding, or assembly.
• Expertise in industrial software , including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Strong change management skills to lead teams through structural and technological changes

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree or Master's degree strongly preferred