Contract Manufacturing Manager

TAE Power Solutions (TPS) is the electrification spin-off from TAE Technologies, a leader in nuclear fusion technology. The company is leveraging unique power management technology originally developed for nuclear fusion and applying it in adjacent industries including Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and DC Fast Charging for electric vehicles. About the Role We are seeking an experienced Contract Manufacturing Manager to lead manufacturing execution and operational performance with our U.S. contract manufacturing (CM) partners. As the primary Operations interface between the company and its contract manufacturers, you will drive manufacturing readiness, production execution, capacity quality, cost, and delivery performance. You will work directly with CM factory leadership and cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Program Management, and Commercial to ensure our manufacturing partners are prepared to build, test, ramp, and deliver complex products safely, reliably and at scale. Role Attributes CM Relationship & Manufacturing Execution Serve as the primary Operations interface with assigned U.S. contract manufacturing partners, and build strong working relationships across CM leadership, manufacturing engineering, quality, supply chain, planning, and production teams. Establish and lead a regular operating cadence with CM leadership covering production performance, quality, material availability, staffing, capacity, testing, cost, and delivery. Drive day-to-day manufacturing priorities, issue resolution, risks, and escalations to support customer and program commitments. Monitor CM performance against agreed KPIs and lead corrective and recovery plans when performance or schedule falls short. NPI & Manufacturing Readiness Lead manufacturing readiness for new product introductions and production transfers, including readiness plans and launch gates from prototype through volume ramp. Ensure manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, equipment, test systems, work instructions, and production documentation are in place before builds begin. Coordinate EVT/DVT/PVT, pilot builds, production qualification, and ramp with Engineering, Quality, and the CM. Drive DFM/DFA feedback between the CM and Engineering, and ensure lessons learned from prototype and pilot builds are incorporated before volume production. Capacity & Capability Translate demand forecasts into manufacturing capacity requirements, and validate line capacity, equipment availability, cycle and takt times, labor, shifts, and factory space. Ensure CMs have adequate, trained staffing ahead of ramps. Conduct periodic capacity assessments based on demonstrated - not stated - capacity, and develop mitigation or expansion plans for constraints. Assess CM capability against product and process requirements, and ensure critical processes are documented, controlled, repeatable, and scalable through PFMEAs, control plans, process validation, and work instructions. Test & Product Validation Ensure CMs have the test equipment, fixtures, procedures, infrastructure, and trained personnel required for production. Coordinate implementation and validation of production test systems, and ensure test steps are repeatable, documented, and integrated into the manufacturing flow. Partner with Engineering and Quality to support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) readiness and execution. Planning & Delivery Partner with Supply Chain and CM planning teams to align demand, material availability, capacity, and production schedules. Identify shortages and constraints before they impact customer deliveries. Monitor build schedules against customer and program requirements, and ensure finished product is released and ready to ship on committed dates. Qualifications, Functional Experience & Skills Qualifications Required 8+ years in manufacturing, ideally with complex electromechanical products - power electronics, energy storage, automotive, or industrial equipment. 3-5 years working directly with contract manufacturers or other outsourced manufacturing partners. Proven track record taking products through NPI, from prototype and pilot builds into volume production. Strong command of manufacturing processes, capacity and production planning, production test, quality systems, and factory operations. Hands-on experience on the manufacturing floor resolving live production issues. Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA, control plans, and structured root-cause problem solving. Strong project-management and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to influence external partners without direct authority. Ability to communicate effectively with everyone from factory-floor operators to senior CM leadership. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, or a related field. Willingness to travel frequently to U.S. contract manufacturing sites. Preferred Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS), power conversion systems, EV batteries, or comparable complex industrial systems. Experience with APQP/PPAP and other structured manufacturing-readiness processes. Experience with ISO 9001 and related manufacturing quality standards. Experience standing up new manufacturing lines or guiding high-growth CMs through rapid volume ramps. Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing reporting tools. Lean or Six Sigma certification. Must be within a commutable distance within Charleston (South Carolina). Learn more Imagination, skill, and will At TAE Power Solutions, we design power systems that use less but do more. Systems that charge faster, run stronger, go farther, and last longer. We inspire better ways to move, work, play, and live. The future is electric, because it's powered by TAE. We are unwavering in our expertise and knowledge, separating fact from fiction and proof from hypothesis. You will be a successful member of TAE Power Solutions if you have these traits: Confident You are confident in your skills, based on your credentials, technical accomplishments, and positive impact on your teams/organizations. Collaborative You are collaborative and work well within and with teams to approach challenges with respect, transparency, optimism, and confidence to succeed together. Creative You are creative, with determination to learn continuously, break new ground, and push the cutting edge. power-solutions.tae.com/ Our podcast Instagram LinkedIn TAE Power Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We ensure all individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. Note to Agencies: TAE prefers to hire directly and maintains an existing preferred supplier list. We do not accept speculative CVs or referrals from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable #J-18808-Ljbffr