Manufacturing Supervisor

From smartphones to solar panels, innovative technology is needed to create the devices we use every day. Silfex’s silicon components help make that technology a reality.

Silfex Inc., A Lam Research Company is the leading provider of precision silicon components used to make and operate semiconductor tools, which enable the trillion-dollar global electronics industry. Our company’s products are integral to the semiconductor equipment and optical markets. The outstanding team at Silfex makes that possible – through our people, we are advancing the world. 

The impact we have on the world is made possible by focusing on our people. So we recognize and celebrate our teams’ achievements. We strive to create an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone’s contribution and voice has value. We evaluate and evolve our offerings, so our people receive the support and empowerment to do meaningful things for their lives, careers, and communities.

Our Perks and Benefits

At Silfex, our people make amazing things possible. That’s why we invest in you throughout the phases of your life with a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits that start on your first day of employment. 

Discover more at Lam Benefits

Job Descriptions:

Essential Function:

Directs and coordinates the activities within the Crystal Growing Value Stream in the production of silicon products by performing the following duties personally or through subordinates.  This position is a significant component of the Silfex Manufacturing and Quality Systems.  This position must be willing to work night and weekends as necessary to manage direct reports working 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Display a positive attitude and strong work ethic that reflects the Mission and Core Values of SILFEX.
• Create and maintain a culture where workplace safety is a part of everything we do. Provide the safest possible workplace to our employees by modeling and following all company safety policies, reporting any incidents or unsafe conditions immediately to SILFEX management.
• Conduct periodic safety audits to proactively identify and resolve potential safety issues.  Ensure follow-up and closure of action items generated.
• Develop and maintain proficiency across all technologies employed in the functional area.
• Executes the manufacturing schedules based on information and requirements from management and customers – reviews production orders, schedules, and pull signals to ascertain product data such as types, quantities, and specifications of products and scheduled delivery dates in order to plan production
• Ensures manufacture of products on schedule, in accordance with quality standards, and at the lowest possible cost
• Trains staff on department safety, quality, and standard work processes and procedures
• Identify training needs for team lead and technicians and develop training needs matrices for proper tracking
• Evaluates employee performance, and make recommendations for promotions and transfers
• Conduct employee reviews and disciplinary action for direct reports
• Manages department attendance and time off requests to ensure production is not negatively impacted
• Maintains inter-departmental and intra-departmental workflow by fostering a spirit of cooperation

• Encourage good performance, and motivate employees using appropriate feedback methods, including teaching, training, coaching and counseling.  Be an effective listener to fully understand the needs of the team. Foster and maintain a team environment

• Analyzes and resolves work problems, or assists employees in solving work problems
• Direct team members with their assignments and expectations on a daily basis
• Plans and directs the layout of equipment, workflow, assembly methods, and work force utilization
• Works closely with Crystal Engineering to ensure test plans, process of records (POR), special instructions and requests are in compliance by all team members
• Adheres to, develops, or revises standard operational and working practices (standard work) and observes workers to ensure compliance with standards.
• Complies, stores and retrieves production data

• Insure that employees record transactions accurately and timely in ERP system
• Ability to see & detect “Slip” in as grown crystals and on processed dislocation pieces
• Manages internally generated remelt process for use in CZ ingots, as well as externally processing of scrap silicon used for casting multi-crystalline silicon ingots
• Coordinates with the EH&S Department to maintain production facilities, processes, and employees in compliance with environmental, health and safety policies
• Performs routine audits of paperwork & measurement equipment to ensure ISO and quality system compliance

• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of the Silfex Quality Management System and SILFEX Manufacturing System (SMS), and properly apply Quality Procedures and Operating Procedures as appropriate
• Champion Lean Manufacturing efforts within value stream work cells to improve established metrics such as Safety+5S, Cycle Time Reduction, inventory levels, etc.  Initiate, implement, and monitor standardized work compliance, specifications and characteristics of department process to insure that quality is built into each of the production processes.  Drive continuous improvement actions.
• Supports Silfex’s Lean Manufacturing culture by:

• Ensuring all employees are engaged in daily improvement activities
• Providing direction and guidance on where to focus attention and improvement efforts
• Helps lead Kaizen teams to meet department goals

• Eligible to receive deemed exports of EAR or ITAR controlled technology
• Perform tasks/duties related to special projects or assignments
• Perform other duties as assigned by department management

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering or related field; or equivalent work experience: four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Preferred Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, AME Silver, or equivalent Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience
• Preferred three or more years Crystal Growing experience
• At least three years of previous manufacturing (or related field) experience
• Previous supervisory experience is preferred but not required
• In depth knowledge of factory processes including safety, quality, engineering/technical support, production planning, staffing to meet delivery requirements
• Ability to lead change and establish operational metrics/key indications for process control, communication and performance improvement
• Ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities, make sound decisions and work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to effectively supervise, motivate and direct production personnel

• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills – write reports, business correspondence, procedure manuals and respond to questions from managers, customers, general public

• Ability to define and solve technical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions

• Must have thorough understanding of department safety measures and must be able to lead others in high-stress, potentially dangerous situations
• Must be able to work effectively individually and in a team environment
• Must be able to pay close attention to details
• Must be able to perform successfully under minimum supervision

Equipment Operated:

• Crystal pullers, casting furnaces, band saws, grinders, core drills, various aerial/mobile lifts

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.  The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and; talk or hear.

The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds. The employee regularly is required to lift up to 12 pounds.  The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles and hot, heavy, and large parts.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.  The noise level in the environment is moderate.

Our Commitment

We believe it is important for every person to feel valued, included, and empowered to achieve their full potential. By bringing unique individuals and viewpoints together, we achieve extraordinary results.

Silfex Inc., A Lam Research Company ("Silfex" or the "Company"), is an equal opportunity employer. Silfex is committed to and reaffirms support of equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination in employment policies, practices and procedures on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. It is the Company's intention to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees.