External Manufacturing Manager

Overview of Role

ZwitterCo is looking to add an External Manufacturing Manager to the Operations Team.  This role is responsible for managing all aspects of outsourced manufacturing from supplier selection and onboarding through production ramp up, ongoing execution, and continuous improvement. The External Manufacturing Manager will own the relationship with contract manufacturers and external partners to ensure products are built on time, at cost, and to quality requirements. 

This is a highly hands‑on role that requires strong technical judgment, operational discipline, and the ability to work effectively in an evolving startup environment with competing priorities developing systems and rapid change.

About ZwitterCo

ZwitterCo has developed a breakthrough in materials science - a new class of zwitterionic membranes with unprecedented fouling resistance. Our membrane solutions perform beyond the limits of traditional filtration, making it practical to treat complex wastewater, purify water for reuse, and maximize efficiency in food processing applications.

ZwitterCo serves customers in more than 20 countries across food and beverage, agricultural, and industrial sectors. We are rapidly investing in our technology, equipment, and global services platform to help our industrial customers achieve their most ambitious sustainability and growth targets.

We are grateful to have been named as Fast Company’s Top Innovators of 2024 and featured on the 2025 & 2026 Global Cleantech 100. 

Key Responsibilities:

Contract Manufacturing Ownership

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all contract manufacturers and key external suppliers
• Lead supplier selection, qualification, and onboarding activities
• Define and manage manufacturing scope, responsibilities, and expectations with partners
• Build strong, collaborative relationships while holding suppliers accountable to performance targets

Production Planning & Execution

• Coordinate production plans with contract manufacturers to meet demand, schedule, and cost requirements
• Monitor build progress, material readiness, capacity, and delivery commitments
• Identify risks and constraints early and drive mitigation plans
• Support production ramp‑ups, transfers, and scale‑up activities

Quality & Compliance Management

• Ensure external manufacturing processes meet internal quality standards and customer requirements
• Support development and enforcement of quality agreements, control plans, and inspection requirements
• Partner with Quality and Engineering on nonconformance investigations, root cause analysis, and CAPAs
• Support audits, supplier assessments, and corrective action follow‑up

Cost, Yield & Performance Management

• Own supplier cost structures, quotations, and ongoing cost improvement initiatives
• Track and analyze key supplier KPIs (on‑time delivery, yield, scrap, escapes, cost)
• Drive continuous improvement in efficiency, throughput, and reliability
• Support make/buy and cost‑reduction decision‑making

Engineering & NPI Support

• Partner with R&D, Engineering and Supply Chain to support new product introduction (NPI) at external manufacturers
• Ensure design intent, specifications, and manufacturing requirements are clearly transferred
• Support process development, validation, and production readiness
• Manage engineering changes and configuration control at supplier sites

Process & Systems Development

• Help build scalable external manufacturing processes
• Define standard workflows for forecasting, material readiness, build releases, and supplier communication
• Support ERP/MRP integration and data accuracy related to external manufacturing
• Document best practices and lessons learned

Critical Success Factors:

• Experience supporting scale‑ups, or fast‑growth organizations
• Experience with production ramp‑ups, transfers, or supplier transitions
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and production operations
• Strong operational and execution focus with a sense of urgency
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to balance collaboration with accountability
• Flexibility to travel to supplier sites as needed

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Management, or related field with 10+ years of experience
• 7–10+ years of experience in manufacturing, supply chain, or operations roles
• 3+ years of direct experience managing contract manufacturers or outsourced production
• Experience with supplier qualification, quality systems, and external audits
• Expertise in bill of materials, routing processes, lead time determination, and capacity planning
• Highly proficient in utilizing ERP/MRP systems and managing supply chain data

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in hardware, industrial, or manufacturing‑heavy startups
• Background in regulated or quality‑critical industries (a plus)
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience

Schedule, Travel, Compensation, and Location

This is a full-time position in Woburn, MA and can be remote if in Pacific Time Zone.

Travel for this role can be up to 50%, depending on location.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and include equity and benefits.

This position reports to the VP of Operations.