Panel Shop Manager

The Panel Shop Manager is directly responsible for operational execution, shop floor throughput, labor efficiency, and technical integrity at Covenant Panel Works (CPW). This role bridges commercial commitments and physical production, driving daily assembly operations while providing direct leadership to the panel engineering and drafting team.

The primary mission is to run a high-velocity, safe, and profitable panel shop floor, converting the sales pipeline into control panels delivered on time, within budgeted labor hours, and built to division margin and quality standards.

1. Shop Floor Operations, Scheduling & Throughput

• Master Production Scheduling: Own the daily and weekly shop floor build schedule, balancing incoming orders, component availability, and assembly bench capacity to meet customer ship dates.
• Workflow & Cell Design: Organize the Beaver facility into lean, high-efficiency assembly cells (kitting, sub-plate mechanical layout, wiring, testing, and packaging) to maximize wire-per-hour output.
• Labor Efficiency & Margin Defense: Track estimated versus actual assembly hours per job in real time to prevent labor overruns and safeguard gross profit targets.
• Capacity & Staffing Execution: Set staffing levels, balance overtime, and lead the recruitment, onboarding, and hands-on training of assembly technicians as shop volume scales.
• Shop Safety & 5S: Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant work environment adhering to OSHA standards and CPW housekeeping practices.

2. Engineering Leadership & Technical Authority

• Engineering Team Oversight: Direct controls engineers and CAD drafters in generating accurate schematics, panel layouts, and multi-level Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Review and coordinate designs before floor release to ensure ease of assembly, optimal wire routing, thermal headroom, and component availability.
• Component Standardization: Drive the engineering team to maximize integration of c3controls parent-company components into custom and standard panel architectures.
• Global Technical Coordination: Direct the tactical workflow of remote engineering and estimating resources (such as the India technical office) to ensure BOMs and takeoffs are ready for production hand-off without delays.

3. Quality Assurance & UL 508A Compliance

• UL 508A Technical Authority: Serve as the designated Manufacturer Technical Representative (MTR) for the shop, maintaining full compliance with UL 508A, NEC, and NEMA guidelines.
• Inspection & Testing Protocol: Enforce a strict quality gate process—including mechanical checks, point-to-point continuity, Hipot/dielectric checks, and powered functional I/O testing—prior to applying UL serial labels.
• Non-Conformance & Rework Reduction: Drive a zero-defect mindset by logging Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), identifying root causes (design, vendor, or workmanship), and implementing corrective actions to stop scrap and rework.

4. Supply Chain, Kitting & Inventory Coordination

• Material Staging & Kitting: Partner with c3controls supply chain and warehouse teams to ensure complete job kits (enclosures, back plates, components, terminal blocks, wire) are staged before assembly begins.
• ERP Job Tracking: Maintain operational tracking in the ERP/MRP system from work order release through final pick, pack, and shipment.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to minimize cycle times, eliminate material-handling bottlenecks, and optimize tooling and wire processing equipment.

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Industrial Engineering (BSIE) or a related technical/manufacturing discipline. Practical panel shop…