Manufacturing Manager

Manufacturing ManagerThe Manufacturing Manager leads a high-speed grind business unit, providing strong operational and team leadership for supervisors and approximately 70+ hourly employees. This role drives safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance while fostering a high-performing, flexible, and engaged workforce. The Manufacturing Manager oversees continuous improvement and resource management initiatives, partners closely with cross-functional teams, and supports strategic and financial planning to align operational execution with business objectives.ResponsibilitiesLead the grind business unit by managing and coaching supervisors responsible for approximately 70+ hourly employees, building a high-performing, flexible, and engaged workforce.Provide day-to-day operations leadership to ensure production targets are met while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and delivery.Drive a world-class environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) culture by reinforcing safe work practices and ensuring adherence to all safety policies and procedures.Ensure consistent achievement of key business metrics across safety, quality, delivery, cost reduction, and employee engagement.Oversee and champion continuous improvement and process improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency across the production line.Develop and manage staffing plans, including resource allocation and workforce planning, to meet customer and operational requirements.Oversee production scheduling to ensure on-time delivery and optimal utilization of high-speed manufacturing and machining equipment.Manage and improve supplier value stream performance to support reliable and efficient operations.Monitor, understand, and positively impact the performance of individuals and the overall production line by leveraging standard operating procedures (SOPs) and lean methodologies.Coach supervisors and team members in the execution of plans that yield measurable operational results.Collaborate consistently with strategic partners, including leadership, engineering, quality, and logistics, to ensure daily operational goals and long-term business objectives are achieved.Support forecasting and financial planning activities to align operational capabilities with business and financial objectives.Contribute to capital expenditure planning by identifying and justifying investments in equipment, technology, and process improvements.Support training initiatives to develop team capabilities, ensure adherence to engineering documentation, and maintain high technical performance.Align monthly delivery plans with customer expectations and internal business goals, ensuring transparent communication of progress and issues.Promote a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and teamwork within the manufacturing organization.Essential SkillsStrong manufacturing leadership experience of 10+ years in a high-speed manufacturing environment.Proven supervisory skills with experience overseeing multiple supervisors and/or leads in a manufacturing setting.Demonstrated ability to understand, monitor, and positively impact the performance of individuals and the overall production line.Experience working with and enforcing standard operating procedures (SOPs).Hands-on experience with lean methodologies and the execution of lean plans to drive measurable results.Experience in continuous improvement and process improvement within manufacturing operations.Experience collaborating with various departments such as engineering, quality, logistics, and leadership to achieve operational goals.Familiarity with machining equipment and associated manufacturing processes.Ability to interpret and work with engineering documentation.Strong communication and coaching skills to develop supervisors and hourly employees.Bachelor's degree (4-year degree), with a preference for an engineering or technical discipline; other degrees considered in combination with relevant experience.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience in high-speed manufacturing environments that require strict adherence to safety, quality, and delivery standards.Demonstrated success in building and sustaining an engaged, flexible, and high-performing workforce.Experience supporting forecasting, financial planning, and capital expenditure initiatives.Exposure to supplier value stream management and collaboration with external partners.Experience in implementing and sustaining lean manufacturing practices.Ability to support and drive training initiatives to enhance technical and operational capabilities.Comfort working with state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and technologies.Career ambition and interest in upward mobility based on performance.Work EnvironmentThe Manufacturing Manager spends the majority of their time, approximately 70% or more, on the manufacturing floor, closely engaging with production teams and equipment in a high-speed manufacturing environment. The remaining time, about 30%, is spent in an office setting focused on planning, coordination, and collaboration with cross-functional partners. The facility uses state-of-the-art machining and manufacturing equipment and operates within a structured environment that emphasizes safety, quality, and lean practices. Employees benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that includes holidays, paid time off, and retirement savings options such as a 401(k). The role offers a career-based opportunity with clear potential for upward mobility based on performance, within a culture that values continuous improvement, technical excellence, and strong employee engagement.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Asheville, NC.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $72.00 - $102.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Asheville, NC.Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 2026.About ActalentActalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.