Manufacturing Section Manager – VPS Operations

FormFactor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORM) is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies across the semiconductor product life cycle, serving customers worldwide through facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. The company’s core values emphasize customer focus, ownership, effective communication, and people development.

Schedule

The regular hours for this position are day shift.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operational readiness activities prior to production launch, including workstation readiness and operational stabilization.
• Develop and implement standardized work, escalation processes, and operational routines.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Engineering, Facilities, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing Systems teams during startup phases.
• Support factory flow optimization and manufacturing layout readiness; own critical metrics such as OEE and cycle time.
• Lead new‑hire onboarding and certification programs; manage hiring, onboarding, certification, and workforce ramp activities.
• Build scalable operator training and operational readiness systems; develop front‑line supervisors and manufacturing teams.
• Establish shift operating structures, accountability systems, and a strong operational culture centered on safety, quality, teamwork, and accountability.
• Support implementation and stabilization of MES/manufacturing applications; develop KPI management systems and visual operational controls.
• Assist with staffing models, labor planning, and production readiness assessments; establish manufacturing operating rhythms and communication structures.
• Lead daily VPS manufacturing operations across multiple shifts, driving performance in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and workforce effectiveness.
• Manage escalation and operational issue resolution; reinforce contamination control, ESD, and compliance requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement in workforce readiness, operational execution, equipment utilization, productivity, workflow efficiency, and manufacturing discipline using data‑driven decision making and KPI management.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience (or Master’s with 6 years experience, or PhD with 3 years experience).
• Minimum of 8 years of related experience.
• Manufacturing leadership experience, including leading supervisors and operators.
• Experience in semiconductor, wafer fab, cleanroom, or precision manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record with assembly line startup or factory ramp initiatives.
• Experience building manufacturing operational systems prior to production launch.
• Experience supporting MES/manufacturing systems implementation.
• Experience developing workforce readiness, onboarding, and operator certification programs.
• Experience supporting 24/7 manufacturing operations.
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

Skills

• Capacity Planning
• Continuous Improvement
• Cross‑Functional Leadership
• Cross‑Functional Teamwork
• Factory Startup
• Leadership
• Manufacturing Operations
• Manufacturing Scale‑Up
• Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Ship Operations
• Staff Planning
• Team Management
• Workforce Planning
• Work Readiness

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short‑term and long‑term disability
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending and savings accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid time off

Location: Farmers Branch, TX