Selective Division Manager

Job Description

Department: Reel to Reel Plating / Operations

Reports To: Vice President of Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: 1358 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT

Position Summary

AEP is seeking a Selective Division Manager to lead our reel to reel plating division. This role carries full ownership of the division — its people, performance, quality, and output — and is accountable for how the business unit runs day to day and where it goes next.

This is a working leadership role. The Selective Division Manager is expected on the floor regularly: engaged with operators and supervisors, close enough to the process to troubleshoot alongside the team, and able to make sound production decisions in real time. At the same time, this person sets priorities for the division, develops the leadership team beneath them, plans capacity and staffing, and partners with Engineering, Quality, Chemistry, and Commercial to deliver on customer commitments.

The right candidate leads from the floor but thinks beyond it — earning credibility through presence while owning the results, the improvement plan, and the development of the team.

Core Responsibilities

Floor Leadership & Daily Operations

•     Lead the Selective division from the production floor — present across shifts, engaged with operators, and visible where the work is happening.

•     Direct daily plating operations across the reel to reel division

•     Troubleshoot production issues hands-on: plating equipment, process conditions, material flow, and finished-part quality.

•     Step into the operation when needed — understand what is happening on the line and make sound production decisions in the moment.

•     Ensure plating parameters, work instructions, and customer specifications are followed consistently across all shifts.

•     Manage production scheduling, staffing levels, workflow, and equipment utilization to meet delivery commitments.

People Leadership & Development

•     Lead, develop, and hold accountable the supervisors and production personnel within the Selective division.

•     Train and coach operators directly; build technical skill and ownership on the floor.

•     Set clear performance expectations and manage productivity, quality, and attendance standards consistently.

•     Build bench strength through cross-training and succession planning for key roles.

•     Foster a culture of ownership, safety, and continuous improvement across all shifts.

Division Performance & Planning

•     Own divisional results: throughput, quality, on-time delivery, cost, and safety.

•     Set priorities and annual objectives for the division, and track performance against them.

•     Plan staffing and capacity against the forecast; identify equipment needs and support line conversions and upgrades.

•     Provide input to the Vice President of Operations on budget, capital priorities, and divisional investment.

•     Participate in customer reviews and support qualification of new programs running through Selective.

Continuous Improvement

•     Drive measurable improvement in first-pass yield, scrap and rework reduction, and equipment uptime.

•     Apply Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and SPC methodologies to improve throughput and reduce variation.

•     Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Chemistry to resolve process and production problems permanently.

Quality, Compliance & Safety

•     Maintain divisional compliance with various standards.

•     Support customer audits, source inspections, and corrective action responses for the division.

•     Maintain accurate production records and documentation to customer and internal quality requirements.

•     Enforce safety policies and ensure proper handling of chemicals, materials, and equipment; maintain a clean, organized floor.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

•     Leadership role based primarily on site in an active electroplating environment

•     Regular exposure to plating chemistry, acid/caustic mists, cyanide-bearing solutions, and industrial equipment; full compliance with AEP PPE protocols

•     Ability to stand and walk the production floor for extended periods

•     Exposure to elevated temperatures, humidity, and chemically active atmospheres typical of a plating facility

•     Off-shift presence required periodically to support all shifts and critical production issues

What We Offer

•     Competitive compensation commensurate with leadership experience and divisional scope

•     Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance

•     401(k) with company match, plus paid vacation

•     Full ownership of an established division, with real authority and room to shape where it goes

•     Long-term career growth within the Sumco Group and Acuity Group portfolio of manufacturing companies