Group Lead, Advanced Processing – Compressed Front End

Position Title

Wilton Factory Optics Fabrication – Advanced Processing Group Leader – Compressed Work Week Front End Days

Front End Days 6 am – 6pm (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, alternate Wednesday)

You will effectively lead the Compressed Work Week Front End Days (Sunday to Tuesday, alternate Wednesday 6am-6pm) Optics manufacturing for Advanced Processing Operations covering responsibilities in Coating, Bonding, Contacting, Etch and Lithography areas. You will have managerial responsibilities for 15+ optical technicians spread across several work centers. You will ensure safe, on‑time delivery of high quality product to your customers while leading improvements in process and operational effectivity and efficiency.

You will continuously seek out, foster, and spearhead improvements to all aspects of your operational area. You will engage in adoption and industrialization of new products and new processes through a strong partnership with Production and Development Engineers. You love being a team player that enjoys the success of team members as much as you enjoy personal success.

• Maintaining alignment of individual, team, and area goals to department and Company objectives.
• Creating employee annual performance goals and coaching and mentoring your team of technicians for daily success. Partnering with employees to create professional development action plans.
• Developing competencies within the team that focus on technical skills, continuous improvement, teambuilding, and cross‑training.
• With minimal supervision, lead a team of technicians to deliver precision optics while meeting or exceeding department and product Key Performance Indicators. These include, but are not limited to: 5S safety; product first pass yield; on‑time delivery; production lead time reduction; labor efficiency and labor hour accuracy; and workforce development and upskilling.
• Planning:
  Set up a detailed production schedule, within the constraints of the Manufacturing Plan and available resources. Ensure progress and output at minimal cost. Solve problems, provide recovery plans, and inform relevant parties on deviations.
• Output:
  Realise the planned output of all deliverables of Volume Production. Ensure the availability and usefulness of the means of production, in cooperation with Production Engineering. Ensure that the level of know‑how and the training of the team members is sufficient to be able to realise all plans.
• Transparently highlight any product or performance issues and escalating requests for help as needed.
• Facilitate identification and implementation of continuous improvement initiatives within your area.
• Partner with Production Engineering to systematically improve processes for increased efficiency and product quality.
• Display structured systematic problem‑solving, innovative problem resolution, and encourage new ideas and methods that are applied with rigorous experimentation and change control.
• Lead by example, encouraging personal motivation in an effort to achieve world‑class quality and performance.
• Work effectively with peers across shifts to meet goals and maintain production continuity.
• Communicate effectively to gain buy‑in from technicians and influence department leaders.
• Administrative duties including time and attendance record‑keeping and performance/merit reviews.
• Administer and enforce company policies and procedures in a direct and consistent manner.
• Work closely with Human Resources to support and handle Employee Relations issues.

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Business or Manufacturing Operations preferred; high school diploma required.
• Minimum of 10 years in a technical production/manufacturing environment; 5+ years in a leadership role with direct people management.
• Experience in Production Management, Quality Assurance, and Continuous Improvement.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing is required. Six Sigma Green Belt preferred.
• Computer proficiency with MS Outlook 365 applications, with knowledge of SAP or comparable ERP system.
• Familiar with ISO
  9001 and ISO
  14001. Direct working experience in a ISO certified environment desirable.

• St…