Senior Specialist I, Manufacturing Operations

We are seeking a highly capable and experienced Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Operations, to provide leadership across multiple production shifts and guide a team of Shift Supervisors in achieving operational excellence. The role is responsible for driving production performance, workforce capability, quality, safety, and continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation. Reporting to the Senior Manager, the successful candidate will provide strategic oversight of day-to-day operations, develop frontline leaders, optimize resource utilization, and ensure consistent execution of manufacturing standards. The ideal candidate is a strong people leader with extensive manufacturing experience, proven leadership of supervisory teams, and the ability to drive operational results in a fast-paced capital equipment manufacturing environment.

• →Lead and develop a team of Shift Supervisors to deliver safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
• →Provide operational leadership across multiple shifts, ensuring alignment of priorities, consistency of execution, and effective decision-making.
• →Drive accountability and performance management through regular operational reviews, coaching, and leadership development of Shift Supervisors.
• →Oversee production planning and resource allocation to ensure optimal manpower utilization and achievement of production commitments.
• →Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Facilities, and other support functions to resolve operational challenges and improve manufacturing performance.
• →Establish and sustain manufacturing disciplines, standard work, escalation processes, and operational controls to ensure stable and predictable operations.
• →Lead workforce capability development, succession planning, cross-training initiatives, and organizational readiness to support future business growth.
• →Oversee recruitment, performance management, talent development, and employee engagement activities within the production organization.
• →Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, regulatory, and company requirements while promoting a strong culture of operational excellence.
• →Drive Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, visual management, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.
• →Analyze operational metrics and manufacturing performance trends to identify improvement opportunities and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• →Lead operational recovery plans, risk mitigation activities, and escalation management during production disruptions to minimize business impact.
• →Ensure effective communication and seamless handovers between shifts, departments, and management teams to maintain business continuity.
• →Support strategic manufacturing initiatives including capacity expansion, process optimization, digitalization, automation, and operational transformation programs.

• Minimum Bachelor's in Engineering related studies.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in a technical environment within the capital equipment, or aviation or manufacturing industries.
• Minimum 8 years of supervisory experience managing a highly skilled technician workforce
• Practical, hands-on experience in equipment manufacturing, including mechanical/electrical systems and troubleshooting.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven experience in implementing Lean/Kaizen or other continuous improvement projects.
• Demonstrated capability in resource planning and team management.
• Experience managing operational KPIs such as Safety, Quality, On-Time Delivery, Productivity, Cycle Time, and Cost.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and effectively manage operational priorities and escalations.

• Experience within semiconductor, capital equipment, advanced manufacturing, or aerospace/aviation industries.
• Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, visual management, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading multiple production shifts or large manufacturing teams through frontline leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational transformation, automation, digitalization, or manufacturing optimization initiatives.
• Experience developing leadership pipelines, succession plans, and technical workforce capability programs.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing KPIs and data-driven decision making.
• Experience managing operational escalations and delivering sustainable corrective actions.

We make the tech that enables the chips in devices which improve lives around the world. We do this with an eye to the future, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through cutting-edge innovation, and driving the next wave of technological breakthroughs that shape how we live, work, and connect.

To learn more about ASM, find us at asm.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

ASM is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify or expression, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.