Senior Manufacturing Manager

Job Summary The Senior Manufacturing Manager in Heavy Industrial Manufacturing directs all large-scale plant operations and maintenance functions. This leadership role focuses on maximizing heavy equipment utilization, driving high-volume throughput, and enforcing rigorous industrial safety & quality standards. The ideal candidate optimizes complex, capital-intensive manufacturing lines while leading multi-layered teams of supervisors and skilled labor. This position reports to the Plant Manager.

Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership & Strategy Direct large-scale assembly, machining, fabrication, welding, or heavy component casting operations.

Works with Plant Manager to develop long-term business plans, operational budgets, capital expenditure (Cap Ex) proposals, and technical strategies.

Coordinate production schedules with logistics, procurement, and supply chain teams to hit delivery windows.

Analyze operational data to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce scrap rates, and lower overall cost per unit.

Safety, Compliance & Quality Assurance Enforce zero-harm safety cultures, upholding OSHA, environmental, and specialized heavy industry regulations.

Implement robust Quality Management Systems (QMS) to guarantee zero-defect heavy engineering outputs.

Lead root-cause investigations for major machinery failures, safety incidents, or structural quality deviations.

Continuous Improvement & Maintenance Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and 5S initiatives tailored to heavy industrial footprints.

Oversee preventative maintenance plans for massive capital assets, heavy machinery, and PLC control infrastructure.

Optimize floor layouts to enhance safety, material handling efficiency, and physical ergonomics.

Team Development & Culture Manage first-line supervisors & shift leaders.

Mentor high-potential employees to build a reliable talent pipeline for multi-shift operations.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
On-Time In-Full (OTIF) Delivery Cost Per Ton / Unit Produced Scrap, Rework, and Waste Reduction %
Qualifications & Requirements REQUIRED Experience7+ years of experience in heavy industrial manufacturing (e.g., aerospace, automotive, steel, mining, defense, or heavy equipment).5+ years of direct managerial experience overseeing multi-shift operations or entire plant departments.
3+ years of experience working with equipment that is for forming, punching, press operations with steel or comparable metal3+ years of experience working or overseeing MIG welding operations.

Technical & Soft Skills Deep knowledge of heavy processes like industrial CNC machining, complex electrical infrastructure, welding, or assembly.

Expertise in industrial software, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).Strong change management skills to lead teams through structural and technological changes

Education & Certifications Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree strongly preferred