Production Manager

Thorlabs is pleased to play a role in advancing science through the components, instruments, and systems we design and manufacture. We believe that science and innovation have great potential to improve the world around us and are committed to advancing photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies that positively impact our customers, employees, and communities. Via educational outreach and more sustainable business practices, we continuously invest in a brighter future. We recognize that each of our employees is a unique individual with the ability to contribute to our success and seek to find great people who will thrive in our fun, fast-paced culture.

Purpose of the Position

The position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and optimizing production operations within assigned departments to ensure the Imaging Systems Business Unit (BU) meets operational goals. This includes ensuring parts, materials, and staffing are available, coordinating engineering changes, conducting capacity analyses, and implementing manufacturing process improvements. The role provides strategic and tactical leadership to production teams and interfaces cross-functionally with engineering, sales, and operations groups. Although the location of the position is in Sterling, VA from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.

Production Planning & Inventory:

• Reviews all open sales orders, back orders, zero stock and open production orders on a periodic basis.
• Makes decisions to release, firm, cancel, or defer work based upon current inventory, demand, capacity, and material availability.
• Analyzes and maintains optimal inventory levels to meet production demand while minimizing excess stock.
• Plans engineering changes to ensure Engineering Change Notice (ECN) instructions are clear and complied with; works with production and purchasing to stop procurement of material affected by change, keeps designated engineers informed of ECN implementation status; coordinates proper rotation of inventory to minimize scrap/reworked parts at incorporation time.
• Recommends engineering changes (ECRs) to the Engineering Manager to minimize waste and increase manufacturability.

Process Improvement & Capacity Planning:

• Conducts capacity analyses by specific work center/machine to determine the need for additional tools/capital equipment.
• Ensures capacity plan is followed.
• Troubleshoots potential capacity issues on an ongoing basis.
• Implements flow manufacturing techniques into production.
• Understands and facilitates the use of KANBANs, wait/work boards, and method sheets to ensure the highest quality and linearity are attainable to production in a flow manufacturing environment.

People & Team Leadership :

• Supervises the material/ finished products shipping and receiving.
• Ensures team members are properly trained and implements cross-training to build workforce flexibility and skill development.
• Balance quality, productivity, cost, safety and morale to achieve positive results in all areas. Work to continuously improve in all areas.
• Manage departmental performance measures, including visual controls and provides regular progress reports to manager.
• Advise planners of potential missed dates.
• Participate in interviews as needed.
• Monitor attendance, performance, training; complete performance assessments; make termination recommendations as necessary.
• Manage department priorities.

Safety & Compliance:

• Perform accident investigations.
• Ensures compliance with all safety protocols and regulatory requirements. Promotes a strong safety culture across production teams.

The Company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Requirements

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in a production or manufacturing/industrial shop environment
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing/leading manufacturing/production environment

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field
• Master’s degree is preferred

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, organization and management skills
• Expert level knowledge using ERP system(s) for manufacturing and supply chain management
• Knowledge of all department positions and requirements
• Knowledge of existing processes and procedures to ensure process and productivity improvement
• Knowledge of machining a variety of materials such as aluminum, high performance alloys, bronze, brass and delrin.
• Has machine tool knowledge with precision grinders, mills and lathes
• Familiar with CAD/CAM packages (Gibbs)

_ The estimated pay range for this role is $111,670 - $155,000 annually _ 

Direct Reports:

Production Supervisors, Machine Shop Manager, Purchasing and Planning Manager, Facilities Manager, Manufacturing Engineers

This position manages all employees of the department and is responsible for the performance management and hiring of the employees within that department.

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.  The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer.  Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Benefits

Thorlabs offers a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO package, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few.