Senior Manager Focus Factory

Job Summary

Lead and oversee die casting and finishing operations to ensure safe, high-quality, on-time, and cost-effective production. Manage manufacturing teams, production capacity, scheduling, process performance, new product introductions, tooling, and equipment reliability to achieve operational excellence.

Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Tooling, and Product Management teams to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reduce scrap and downtime, optimize manufacturing processes, and support the organization's casting strategy through effective leadership, operational discipline, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Lead, coach, and develop die casting and finishing operators, technicians, and production scheduling teams. Establish clear performance objectives, monitor results, and promote accountability, employee development, and operational excellence.
• Develop and execute production schedules based on customer demand, manufacturing capacity, and available resources. Optimize labor allocation, equipment utilization, and material flow to meet production and delivery commitments.
• Monitor key operational indicators, including OEE, scrap, downtime, productivity, safety, quality, delivery, and cost. Implement corrective actions and structured problem-solving methodologies to improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Ensure manufacturing operations comply with product specifications, quality management systems, and applicable regulatory requirements. Lead root-cause investigations and preventive actions to minimize defects and improve product quality.
• Lead new product introduction projects from initial planning through production launch, coordinating resources, budgets, timelines, tooling readiness, risk mitigation, and quality requirements.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, process standardization, and cost-reduction initiatives to improve productivity, optimize resource utilization, and introduce appropriate manufacturing technologies.
• Establish and enforce workplace safety, health, and environmental requirements. Conduct regular safety reviews, support employee training, and ensure compliance with applicable EHS standards.
• Collaborate with Product Engineering, Product Management, and tooling teams to apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles and develop tooling capable of producing high-quality castings using High-Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) equipment.
• Partner with Maintenance and Tooling teams to develop and sustain Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs, die books, preventive maintenance plans, and equipment reliability initiatives.

Skills and Minimum Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification, preferably in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field. Equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in die casting or closely related manufacturing operations, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial position.
• Strong technical knowledge of High-Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) processes, manufacturing equipment, aluminum alloys, tooling, finishing operations, and production controls.
• Proven leadership and people management experience, including coaching, talent development, performance management, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience in production planning, capacity management, manufacturing scheduling, inventory coordination, and resource allocation.
• Ability to analyze manufacturing performance indicators, including OEE, scrap, downtime, and productivity, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Knowledge of quality management systems, root-cause analysis, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing manufacturing projects involving new product introductions, tooling development, process improvements, production readiness, budgets, and timelines.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across different organizational levels.
• Professional English proficiency, including effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work on-site in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, with regular presence on the manufacturing floor and flexibility to support multiple production shifts.
• Ability to perform regular walking in manufacturing areas, wear required personal protective equipment, and occasionally handle items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• NADCA Certified Die Casting Technician certification.
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
• Experience leading die casting and finishing operations in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations across multiple production shifts.
• Demonstrated experience improving operational performance through structured continuous improvement initiatives.

Travel Requirements