Electronics Manufacturing Plant Manager

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Plant Manager to lead site operations in an Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) environment. This leader will oversee manufacturing performance, operational strategy, workforce development, and financial execution while delivering improvements in quality, productivity, cost, delivery, and safety.

The ideal candidate brings progressive leadership experience in EMS, semiconductor, or OEM manufacturing, with a successful track record of building teams, scaling operations, and leading operational or technical turnarounds. The role requires a collaborative leader who can strengthen internal and customer relationships, support business growth, and deliver high-quality products on time and within budget.

Key Responsibilities
Site Leadership and Strategic Execution

• Lead plant operations and establish strategies aligned with customer commitments, financial goals, and business objectives.
• Translate strategic priorities into operating plans, resource requirements, and measurable performance targets.
• Lead facility startups, capacity expansions, operational turnarounds, and organizational improvements as needed.
• Build and lead site-based teams and coordinate with remote, domestic, and international stakeholders.
• Communicate operational performance, business risks, investment needs, and improvement plans to executive leadership.

Manufacturing Operations

• Oversee daily production planning, scheduling, and execution in a low-to-medium-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Direct electronic, mechanical, and electromechanical production, including SMT, through-hole, testing, and final assembly.
• Optimize labor, equipment, materials, and capacity to achieve quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
• Identify production constraints and implement effective recovery plans.
• Maintain a visible manufacturing-floor presence through gemba walks and direct employee engagement.

Quality and Operational Excellence

• Drive improvements in first-pass yield, scrap, rework, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Ensure adherence to first-article inspection requirements, SOPs, work instructions, and quality procedures.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to resolve nonconformances, implement corrective actions, and verify sustained effectiveness.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Support audits, process validation, and compliance with applicable quality systems and customer requirements.

Leadership and Team Development

• Recruit, coach, and develop supervisors, managers, technicians, and production personnel.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, succession plans, and employee development programs.
• Strengthen communication and consistent execution across departments and shifts.
• Foster a collaborative culture that balances employee engagement with operational discipline.
• Lead teams through growth, organizational change, and performance improvement.

Financial, Resource, and Engineering Management

• Manage plant operating budgets, labor utilization, overhead, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Evaluate capital investments, equipment upgrades, and capacity requirements.
• Partner with Engineering and Maintenance to improve manufacturability, equipment reliability, and process capability.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to address shortages, optimize inventory, and maintain production continuity.
• Support NPI, production transfers, and manufacturing readiness.

Customer Relationships and Business Growth

• Serve as a senior operational contact for customers regarding performance, capabilities, and delivery commitments.
• Partner with Sales and Business Development to assess new opportunities and align customer requirements with manufacturing capabilities.
• Support proposals, capability presentations, and operational assessments for prospective business.
• Build productive relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure growth commitments are supported by realistic capacity, cost, quality, and execution plans.

Safety and Compliance

• Promote a proactive safety culture and enforce established EHS policies.
• Ensure operations meet applicable regulatory, industry, and customer requirements.
• Support inspections, risk assessments, training, and corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• Ten or more years of progressive manufacturing experience, including significant plant, site, or operations leadership responsibility.
• Direct experience in EMS, PCBA, semiconductor, or OEM manufacturing; Tier 1 industry experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading high-mix manufacturing operations and delivering measurable business results.
• Experience building teams and leading startups, expansions, high-growth operations, or operational and technical turnarounds.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, capacity management, manufacturing engineering, budgeting, and continuous improvement.
• Working knowledge of applicable quality systems and standards, such as ISO 9001, IPC-A-610, and J-STD-001.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems; familiarity with MES and PLM systems preferred.
• Strong customer-facing communication, relationship management, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Ability to balance strategic priorities with hands-on operational execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading geographically distributed teams and collaborating across domestic and international operations.
• Exposure to strategic marketing, business development, or commercial planning within a manufacturing business.
• Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or relevant IPC certification.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments.

Key Performance Measures

• On-time delivery and schedule attainment.
• First-pass yield, scrap, rework, and customer returns.
• Throughput, labor efficiency, and capacity utilization.
• Equipment availability and downtime.
• Operating costs and budget performance.
• Customer satisfaction and readiness to support business growth.
• Employee development, retention, and engagement.
• Safety performance.

Work Environment and Additional Requirements

This is an on-site leadership position requiring regular manufacturing-floor engagement and coordination across production shifts.

The position requires access to export-controlled technology and technical data. Applicants must meet the position’s stated ITAR eligibility requirements, subject to company screening.

RightStaff was recognized by INC 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation. RightStaff's unique process and approach to staffing has enabled us to provide services that far exceed our competitors in the areas of resource qualification, delivery and performance measurement.

Voted Best Places to work in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. RightStaff is a nationwide IT solutions partner. We offer a full range of services, covering recruitment, project management, rollouts, project deployment, staffing, consulting services, and direct hire placement.

RightStaff is continuing to grow our service offerings every year, offers excellent compensation, and a great opportunity for career growth.