Unit Manager - Manufacturing

Every day, we get opportunities to make a positive impact – on our colleagues, partners, customers and society. Together, we’re pioneering the solutions of the future and unlocking the full potential of precious resources. Trusted to act on initiative, we challenge conventional thinking to develop world-leading technologies that inspire progress in vital areas, including energy, food, water and shipping. 

As we push forward, the innovative, open spirit that fuels our 140-year-old start-up culture and rapid growth also drives our personal growth. So, as we shape a more resourceful, less wasteful world, we build our careers too.

About the job

As an integral member of our team, you will play a pivotal role, leading a 24/7 manufacturing operation specializing in high-precision, complex assemblies. You will have the opportunity to convert raw materials into the finished goods through the mastery of advanced manufacturing and joining processes. The primary focus is to ensure the unit meets short-to-mid-term demand, goals and customer expectations with maximum efficiency, exacting technical precision, and zero safety incidents, contributing to the overall success and growth of our organization. Currently, this is an Onsite opportunity located in Richmond, VA.

As a part of the team, you will:

 24/7 Production Leadership & Reliability

• Directly oversee the three-shift production cycle to ensure seamless handovers and continuous uptime of critical, capital-intensive manufacturing assets.
• Maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) across the critical equipment’s and specialized production cells.
• Drive the execution of the daily production plan provided by the Planning department, ensuring 100% On-Time Delivery (OTD).
• Run the Operations through the governance model of ERP, QMS, policies and procedures.
• Provide inputs for the annual budgeting regarding standard times, productivity improvements, and other cost savings generated from improvement activities.

Technical Excellence & Process Adherence

• Maintain the strict integrity of specialized manufacturing processes, ensuring rigorous adherence to operating parameters, environmental controls, and cycle time optimization.
• Actively participate in New Product Development (NPD) and provide operational input to Existing Product Development (EPD) initiatives to ensure manufacturability.
• Oversee the technical training of the workforce, multi-stage assessment and support the progression from basic to expertise level.

Lean Execution & Continuous Improvement

• Own the Gemba; understand and deal with the real problems of the unit by being present (~70% of the work time) on the floor and actively support Problem Solving & Improvement activities.
• Standardized work instructions and leading Kaizen events focused on reducing "Wait Time" and "Motion" waste between processes.
• Implement visual management systems (Andon, Dashboards) to provide real-time visibility into production pace and performance.

People Development & Culture

• Manage a multi-shift workforce through three direct Production Managers, focusing on core mission of everyday basis, “4 Zs” (Zero Injury – Zero Defect – Zero Delay – Zero Breakdown).
• Develop and own the upskilling program for the unit across all roles, ensuring comprehensive training that is not limited strictly to temporary employees.
• Drive a high-performance culture that prioritizes accountability and rapid problem-solving (8D/5-Why) at the shift level.
• Champion daily 5S routines to maintain and sustain high workplace organization standards.
• Ensure strict adherence to all company policies to maintain a compliant, professional working environment.

We care about diversity, inclusion and equity in our recruitment processes. We also believe behavioral traits can provide important insights into a candidate's fit to a role. To help us achieve this we apply Pymetrics assessments, and upon application you will be invited to play the assessment games.

What you know:

You have a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Production or Industrial Engineering with relevant experience, and:

• 8–10 years in Manufacturing / Maintenance/Production/Quality.
• 5 years in a Leadership role.
• Ability to interpret drawings, blueprints, and machine reports.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Maintain high 5S standard for assigned cells and teams.
• Advanced skills in ERP systems, MS Office and data analysis.
• Ability to read and interpret Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals.
• Meet "4Z" metrics (Zero Injury, Defect, Downtime, Lates).
• Throughput, OEE improvements.
• Halt production immediately in response to safety, quality, or environmental deviations.
• Provide immediate problem-solving support for all production processes.
• Initiate and lead independent problem resolution and improvement activities.
• Coordinate with support functions including EHS, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain and Warehouse.

At Alfa Laval, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive and dynamic workplace that values diverse perspectives and experiences. While we typically welcome applicants from all locations, currently, we are prioritizing candidates who reside in the US or have an established presence in the area.

What’s in it for you?

We offer a challenging position in an open and friendly environment where we help each other to develop and create value. Your work will have a true impact on Alfa Laval’s future success. Our benefits-eligible associates enjoy healthcare, dental and vision plans, a robust wellness program, generous 401(k), paid holidays, paid time off benefits, and more. At Alfa Laval, we carefully consider a wide range of factors to determine your total compensation package. We rely on market indicators and consider your specific job, background, skills, and experience to get it right.  The base salary for this role is typically $95,000 - $105,000 USD per year.

Alfa Laval is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, or business need, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

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