Manufacturing Lead

Job Description

Job Description

**Optical Precision Manufacturing Lead

**

**Location:

** Adrian, Michigan

**About the Position

**

This is a hands-on manufacturing leadership role responsible for driving production performance, quality, and process excellence within a highly precise manufacturing environment. You will lead a team of technicians and operators while developing scalable manufacturing processes that support consistent quality, throughput, and operational execution.

The ideal person enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges, developing high-performing teams, and creating the structure and discipline required to achieve world-class production results. This role offers the opportunity to build and improve manufacturing systems supporting advanced technologies where precision, repeatability, and quality are critical to overall product performance.

**Responsibilities

**

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of technicians and operators within a precision manufacturing environment

• Drive production performance to meet schedule, quality, yield, and delivery objectives

• Establish and optimize scalable, repeatable manufacturing processes

• Reduce variability, scrap, and rework through disciplined process control and operational rigor

• Strengthen documentation, standard work, process controls, and manufacturing procedures

• Partner cross-functionally with engineering, assembly, quality, and production teams to drive operational improvements

• Lead structured root cause analysis and problem-solving efforts to resolve production issues

• Identify process bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency and throughput

• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, productivity, and manufacturing excellence

• Maintain safe, organized, and high-performing production environments

**Who You Are

**

• Most effective leading teams on the manufacturing floor rather than from behind a desk

• Comfortable making decisions in fast-paced environments where priorities evolve quickly

• Highly analytical with a structured approach to troubleshooting and problem-solving

• Earn credibility through technical competence, accountability, and follow-through

• Passionate about building processes that are repeatable, scalable, and sustainable

• Driven to develop people, improve systems, and continuously raise performance standards

**Experience Requirements

**

• 5+ years of experience in precision manufacturing environments such as aerospace, medical devices, machining, advanced manufacturing, or related industries

• Demonstrated experience leading technicians, operators, or manufacturing teams

• Track record of driving measurable operational improvements in quality, yield, throughput, or efficiency

• Experience implementing and maintaining manufacturing processes, documentation, and production standards

• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and root cause analysis capabilities

• Comfortable operating in high-mix, high-precision, or technically complex production environments

**What You Bring

**

• Strong manufacturing leadership experience with a focus on accountability, quality, and execution

• Ability to identify sources of variation and implement sustainable corrective actions

• Experience developing standard work, process controls, and operational procedures

• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across multiple functional groups

• Data-driven mindset with the ability to make informed operational decisions

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

**Preferred Qualifications

**

• Exposure to optics, metrology, precision surface manufacturing, or highly technical production environments

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies

• Experience supporting production scale-up efforts or transitioning products from development into production

• Familiarity with advanced manufacturing technologies and precision measurement systems

• Experience working closely with engineering teams on process development and manufacturability improvements

**What Success Looks Like

**

**Production Performance

**

Within the first six months, production schedules are being met more consistently, operational bottlenecks have been identified, and key manufacturing metrics are improving.

**Process Stability

**

Manufacturing processes are more repeatable, variability has been reduced, and documented standards are actively being followed on the floor.

**Team Development

**

The production team is operating with greater accountability, engagement, and technical capability while maintaining high quality standards.

**Quality Improvement

**

Measurable reductions in scrap, rework, and production-related quality issues have been achieved through structured process improvements.

**Operational Excellence

**

You are recognized as a trusted manufacturing leader who consistently drives execution, develops people, and delivers sustainable operational results.

You should be proficient in:

• CNC Machine Installation
• ISO 9001 Certification Experience
• ERP & MRP Systems
• Aerospace Manufacturing
• AS9100 Experience