Manufacturing Manager

Welcome to Manta

Manta is a technology company that provides solutions for marine autonomy. With a global operational and sales organization, we support our customers worldwide with life-of-field services and cutting-edge seismic acquisition solutions.

What's the role?

This position involves planning, organizing, and controlling production operations, managing staff, optimizing workflows, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives. The role plays a critical part in achieving operational excellence and contributing to the overall success of the company.

Production Planning and Management:

• Develop and implement production schedules, ensuring optimal utilization of resources (manpower, machinery, materials).
• Monitor production output against plans and adjust as necessary to meet targets.
• Responsible for the entire production process, from raw material to finished goods.
• Forecast production needs and lead supply chain and procurement activities to ensure timely availability of materials

Team Leadership and Management:

• Recruit, train, mentor, and manage production staff, including procurement, quality, inventory management and production line workers.
• Set clear performance objectives, conduct performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment, promoting teamwork and continuous improvement and ensure adherence to company policies

• Implement and enforce quality control procedures and quality metrics to ensure products meet specified standards and customer requirements.
• Manage the quality resources to identify and rectify issues.
• Oversee regular inspections and audits of products and processes.

Efficiency and Process Improvement:

• Identify and implement opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and cost savings.
• Utilize lean manufacturing principles (e.g., Six Sigma, Kaizen) to improve productivity and efficiency.
• Analyze production data and metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.
• Evaluate and recommend new equipment or technologies to enhance production capabilities.

Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE):

• Ensure strict adherence to all health, safety, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments.
• Implement and maintain safety training programs for all production personnel.
• Investigate and report on any accidents or incidents, implementing preventive measures.

Budget Management:

• Manage the production budget and cash-flow forecasting process, controlling costs related to labor, materials, and overheads.
• Responsible for efficiency and accuracy across the Procure to Pay process.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or safety.

Reporting and Communication:

• Prepare regular production reports, including output/production system uptime, efficiency, quality, and cost metrics.
• Communicate production status, challenges, and solutions to senior management.
• Collaborate effectively with other departments such as R&D, sales, engineering, and maintenance.

Risk Management:

• Identify and mitigate potential risks associated with the supply chain and implement strategies to build resiliency in the supply chain.
• Identify and mitigate potential risks specific to the supply of raw materials / components, such as delays in the delivery of critical items, technical failures impacting production system uptime, and geopolitical factors affecting global supply chains.

Warehousing & Inventory Management:

• Oversee all warehousing operations, including receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping of goods.
• Implement and maintain efficient warehouse layouts and storage solutions to maximize space utilization and accessibility.
• Develop and enforce robust inventory control procedures to ensure accuracy and minimize discrepancies (e.g., cycle counting, physical inventory).
• Monitor inventory levels to prevent stockouts and overstock situations, optimizing inventory turns.
• Manage and optimize material flow within the warehouse and between different stages of the supply chain.
• Implement and maintain a Warehouse Management System (WMS) and/or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for inventory tracking and management.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and quality standards within the warehouse.
• Develop and implement strategies for obsolete or slow-moving inventory.

Logistics & Transportation:

• Manage relationships with carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers.
• Optimize transportation routes and modes to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.
• Track and monitor shipments to ensure on-time delivery and resolve any transit issues.
• Negotiate freight rates and service level agreements.

• Working with technical teams to ensure product-related manufacturing specifications (bill of materials, drawings, assembly & test procedures) are prepared and controlled effectively
• Support the development and implementation of a framework for New Product Introduction (NPI) (e.g. stage-gate process) in the organization including defining work breakdown structure, stage gate exit requirements, resources requirements, product development and release schedules
• Ensure products transition to production remain compliant within cost, quality and functionality requirements
• Develop PPAP / APQP processes and procedures and qualify new component suppliers using this process
• Working with cross-functional teams – engineering, trade compliance, quality assurance, logistics – to ensure program deliverables are achieved on time and on budget

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering, Economics, Science, or related technical discipline from a four-year college or university required
• Significant proven experience (typically 15 years+) in setting up and managing manufacturing operations / production management; ideally with experience in the EMS industry
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact and communicate effectively with technical and commercial stakeholders globally.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Dynamic D365 ERP, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Proven track record of effective team leadership, motivation, and development