The Production Manager is responsible for end-to-end manufacturing execution of fiber optic cable assemblies, ensuring on-time delivery, quality compliance, productivity, and cost efficiency in a contract manufacturing environment.

The role involves managing shop-floor operations, manpower, equipment, and processes, while closely coordinating with Planning, Quality, Engineering, SCM, and Customer Support teams to meet customer commitments and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities & KRAs

1. Production Execution & Delivery

Objective: Achieve consistent on-time delivery with optimal utilization of resources.

Responsibilities

- Execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans for fiber optic cable assemblies

- Ensure adherence to production schedules and customer delivery commitments

- Manage multiple product variants, customers, and priority changes

- Coordinate with Planning for plan adjustments and capacity alignment

- Drive throughput and minimize bottlenecks across critical processes

2. Shop Floor & Manpower Management

Objective: Maintain efficient, disciplined, and safe shop-floor operations.

Responsibilities

- Manage operators, supervisors, and line leaders across shifts

- Ensure optimal manpower allocation and skill utilization

- Monitor attendance, productivity, and training needs

- Enforce discipline, safety, and standard work practices

- Support skill development and multi-skilling of operators

3. Process Control & Quality Compliance

Objective: Ensure products meet customer and industry quality standards.

Responsibilities :

- Ensure compliance with approved work instructions, SOPs, and control plans

- Monitor in-process quality and adherence to fiber optic standards

- Support root cause analysis for defects, rework, and customer complaints

- Coordinate with Quality for audits, corrective actions, and process improvements

- Drive right-first-time manufacturing

4. Equipment, Tools & Maintenance Coordination

Objective: Ensure high equipment availability and process reliability.

Responsibilities

- Ensure proper usage and upkeep of production equipment and tools

- Coordinate preventive maintenance and breakdown support

- Support commissioning of new machines, jigs, fixtures, and automation

- Drive improvements in equipment uptime and OEE

5. Continuous Improvement & Cost Optimization

Objective: Improve efficiency, reduce waste, and control manufacturing costs.

Responsibilities

- Implement Lean Manufacturing practices (5S, Kaizen, SMED, Poka-Yoke)

- Identify and eliminate non-value-added activities

- Drive productivity improvement and cost reduction initiatives

- Support automation and industrial engineering projects

- Track and sustain improvement benefits

6. Cross-Functional Coordination

Objective: Ensure seamless execution through collaboration.

Responsibilities :

- Work closely with Planning, SCM, Engineering, Quality, and Customer Support

- Support NPI, pilot builds, and ramp-up of new products

- Participate in daily production meetings and escalation reviews

- Support customer visits and audits

7. Safety, Compliance & Discipline

Objective: Maintain a safe and compliant manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities :

- Ensure adherence to EHS policies and statutory requirements

- Conduct safety briefings and audits

- Enforce discipline and shop-floor housekeeping standards

- Support ISO / TL9000 / customer compliance requirements

Required Qualifications Education :

- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Manufacturing Engineering

- Diploma with strong manufacturing experience may be considered

Experience :

- 10- 15 years of manufacturing experience, including 3- 5 years in a leadership role

- Mandatory experience in contract manufacturing

- Exposure to fiber optic cable assembly, electronics, or telecom manufacturing strongly preferred
 
Skills & Competencies :

- Strong understanding of fiber optic cable assemblies, connectors, polishing, and testing

- Hands-on production management and problem-solving ability

- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and shop-floor best practices

- Ability to manage high-mix, low-to-medium volume production

- ERP/MRP system exposure

- Strong leadership, communication, and execution skills