About this role
Ambient Recruiting is partnered with a leading aerospace manufacturer to identify a Manufacturing Manager for its Whitehall, MI operation. This leadership opportunity is ideal for an experienced manufacturing professional who excels at developing teams, improving operational performance, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Lead manufacturing operations to achieve production, quality, delivery, productivity, and financial objectives.
- Promote a safe, clean, and compliant work environment while addressing safety concerns promptly.
- Monitor overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), production output, shipment targets, and departmental performance.
- Improve manufacturing planning, execution, and shop floor discipline.
- Lead lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and plant-wide operational excellence initiatives.
- Identify and eliminate non-value-added activities, reduce waste, and improve production flow.
- Implement process improvements that reduce labor costs, work-in-process inventory, and cycle times.
- Develop, coach, and train team leaders, supervisors, and manufacturing support personnel.
- Manage departmental budgets and drive cost-reduction initiatives to improve profitability.
- Collaborate with the Plant Manager and leadership team to develop budgets, strategic plans, and organizational goals.
- Establish and communicate goals and performance expectations throughout the manufacturing organization.
- Conduct capacity analysis and improve standardized work and labor standards.
- Apply constraint management principles to improve throughput and equipment effectiveness.
- Maintain strong customer relationships and support excellent delivery performance.
- Partner with engineering to improve manufacturing processes, product quality, and production methods.
- Communicate operational updates, performance results, and improvement initiatives to employees, customers, and leadership.
- Participate in plant-level and corporate initiatives to support broader business objectives.
Qualifications
Required:
- High school diploma or GED.
- At least 7 years of leadership experience, including a minimum of 3 years in a direct supervisory role.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Preferred:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience in manufacturing, particularly investment casting.
- Proven success implementing lean manufacturing principles, total quality practices, or Six Sigma methodologies.
- Demonstrated results leading manufacturing excellence and operational improvement initiatives.
- Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and negotiation skills.
- Strong financial and budget management skills.
- Experience with tooling, molds, and dies used in investment casting, injection casting, injection molding, or stamping.