Group Lead, Advanced Processing – Compressed Work Week Front End Days

Job Mission

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.

Job Description

• Maintain alignment of individual, team, and area goals to department and Company objectives.
• Create employee annual performance goals and coach and mentor your team of technicians for daily success. Partner with employees to create professional development action plans.
• Develop competencies within the team that focus on technical skills, continuous improvement, teambuilding, and cross-training.
• 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.
• Plan: 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: Realize 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 realize all plans.
• Transparently highlight any product or performance issues and escalate 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, encourage 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.
• Administer and enforce company policies and procedures in a direct and consistent manner.
• Work closely with Human Resources to support handle Employee Relation Issues.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Business or Manufacturing Operations preferred; high school diploma required.
• A 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 ISO9001 and ISO14001. Direct working experience in a ISO certified environment desirable.

Personal skills

• Strong ability to observe and respond to people and situations while monitoring and developing your team and their performance.
• Strong ability to coach team members to uncover their hidden potential. Challenge through Care.
• Strong ability to learn and apply new information or skills.
• Must be able to read and interpret data, information, and documents.
• Strong customer focus and commitment to customer satisfaction through prioritization, quality, efficiency and professionalism.
• Ability to complete assignments with attention to detail and high degree of accuracy.
• Proven ability to perform effectively in a demanding environment with changing workloads and deadlines.
• Result driven-demonstrate ownership and accountability.
• Identifies bottlenecks and drives improvements.
• Work independently or as part of a team and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate open, clear, concise and professional communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with manager, co-workers and customer.
• Work according to a strict set of procedures within the provided timelines.

Other information

• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts, solvents and tooling.
• May also be exposed to laser energy and magnetic fields.
• Production areas are maintained at 70 to 75 degrees and 35-50% RH.
• The noise level in the manufacturing areas is usually moderate.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Occasional training and Business Meetings on off shifts will be required
• Lifting up to 35 Lbs. may be required.
• The employee is required to work in a Climate Controlled Cleanroom Environment (72℉). This includes full gowning (full body coveralls, hood, CR safety shoes, face mask, nitrile gloves and safety glasses. Working under ISO 9000/14000 standards).
• Must be able to successfully complete peer to peer transactional handoff’s at start and end of shift.
• Flexibility to train on other shifts or cover a co-workers absence

Additional Responsibilities

• May be exposed to strong magnetic fields, high voltage and currents.