Back-End Process Manager

Somacis Inc•Poway, CA

7d•$80,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This position leads the Back-End process areas — Solder Mask, Inkjet, Electrical Test (ET), CMM, Final Inspection and Shipping — on 1st, swing and 2nd shifts, and is responsible for executing the daily ship target. The Back-End Process Manager carries the same leadership, compliance, operations and supervision responsibilities as a Process Area Manager and, in addition, directs quality control at the end of the line: every job is inspected and accepted to the customer’s fabrication drawing, purchase order and specifications before it ships; nonconforming product is dispositioned with Engineering and Quality before it moves; and any issue raised by Final Inspection is escalated to the Quality department. The position actively participates as a member of the Operations leadership team, coordinating with Production Control, the Process Area Managers and the Plant Manager to remove obstacles to the ship target, and with Microsection to keep lab priorities aligned to the ship list. It visibly champions Quality First, holds team members accountable for quality, delivery, safety and attendance, and ensures each team member has a development plan aligned with team and company goals. This position is accountable for adherence to company policies, legal requirements, and environmental, health and safety guidelines. Scope: This position is highly visible and responsible for Back-End performance on all shifts. As the last point of control before product reaches the customer, it requires the highest standards of integrity: delivery pressure never overrides an open quality question. Authority: the Back-End Process Manager may stop shipment of any product with an open quality question. Nonconforming product is not accepted use-as-is or repaired on this position’s authority; those dispositions are made through Quality and Engineering and documented before product moves. Problem solving will be varied; the ability to use previous experience, operational precedents and new ideas and practices to develop the best solutions will be paramount.

Requirements

IPC-A-600 Certified IPC Specialist (CIS), or the ability to obtain certification within 60 days of hire.
PCB manufacturing experience preferred, particularly in solder mask, electrical test or final inspection.
Ability to look up, read and interpret customer fabrication drawings, purchase order quality requirements and specifications (IPC-6012, IPC-A-600, customer and military specifications).
Working knowledge of aerospace and defense quality requirements (AS9100, customer flow-downs) preferred.
Quality mindset: willing to hold a shipment when a quality question is open.
High school diploma or equivalent; college courses in management, a technical degree or equivalent technical experience preferred.
Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in a management or leadership role in manufacturing or engineering.
Two years of direct supervision of hourly personnel.
Excellent verbal and written communication, human relations and customer service skills.
Intermediate math skills.
Computer literate with spreadsheet and word processing proficiency; ERP/MES experience preferred.
Self-starter who excels in a fast-paced environment and works under minimum supervision in a team environment.
Ability to solve multiple complex problems in an environment with a variety of technical and organizational constraints.

Nice To Haves

PCB manufacturing experience preferred, particularly in solder mask, electrical test or final inspection.
Working knowledge of aerospace and defense quality requirements (AS9100, customer flow-downs) preferred.
College courses in management, a technical degree or equivalent technical experience preferred.
ERP/MES experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Own execution of the daily ship target: review the ship list each shift, sequence Back-End work to it, and report status and any misses, with cause, to the Plant Manager.
Coordinate with Production Control, the Process Area Managers and the Plant Manager to remove obstacles to the ship target, such as late WIP, equipment downtime, open dispositions and staffing gaps.
Coordinate with Microsection and manage its priorities to the ship list so coupon evaluation does not hold a shipment; work with the Quality Manager on lab capacity and staffing.
Ensure every job is inspected and accepted to the customer’s fabrication drawing, purchase order quality requirements and applicable specifications (e.g., IPC-6012 performance class, IPC-A-600, customer specifications) before it ships.
Look up and interpret specifications and fabrication drawing requirements when questions arise at Final Inspection, ET or CMM; resolve them with the inspector, or escalate to Quality or Engineering when the requirement is unclear.
Coordinate disposition of nonconforming product with Final Inspection, Engineering and Quality, and confirm each disposition is documented before product moves.
Escalate any quality issue raised by Final Inspection to the Quality department without delay, and hold affected product until it is resolved.
Support inspectors’ authority to reject: no product ships over an inspector’s reject without a documented disposition.
Track Back-End rejects and escapes by defect and source, and drive cause and corrective action with Quality, Engineering and the Process Area Managers where defects originate upstream.
Ensure inspectors are trained and certified to IPC-A-600 as required and that training records are current.
Within the team, provide the leadership and resources to meet goals in cost, delivery, quality and technology.
Manage employee resources to encourage team participation.
Provide leadership in communication, employee training and development, customer satisfaction and customer/supplier relationships.
Effectively communicate changes in company guidelines, business practices and updates on cost, delivery and quality.
Ensure team meetings are held regularly on all shifts.
Support and act as a resource for team and individual employee needs.
Serve employees with a high degree of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality.
Accountable for complying with Environmental, Health and Safety guidelines, including OSHA and SB 198 (Injury and Illness Prevention Program).
Provide accurate and timely notification of changes, additions and deletions to Payroll or Human Resources by following established procedures (forms, paperwork, counseling, etc.).
Actively promote and uphold all SUSA policies and maintain a thorough knowledge of them.
Responsible for hiring decisions within the Back-End team in cooperation with Human Resources.
Review production and operating reports and resolve operational, manufacturing, technical and maintenance problems to ensure quality and on-time delivery at the lowest cost.
Develop Back-End processes to improve cost, cycle time and quality.
Coordinate preventive maintenance with Maintenance so PM requirements are met without disrupting the ship plan.
Ensure Back-End quality, throughput and delivery data is maintained and relevant.
Maintain min/max levels of Back-End consumables and packaging materials with Purchasing, in accordance with company policy.
Work with Purchasing to ensure suppliers supporting the Back-End provide the best product at the most economical price and highest quality.
Continuously evaluate Back-End processes, equipment and supplies for quality, cost and throughput capability.
Effectively use established process control systems (SPC, control logs, process checks).
Ensure compliance with the SUSA Quality Management System, including QAPs and WIs.
Manage Production Technicians, Inspectors and Process Leads in the Back-End on all shifts.
Establish and evaluate measurements, set performance goals and communicate clear accountabilities with each employee.
Provide performance feedback and conduct performance reviews, with input from Process Leads and the Second Shift Manager.
Responsible for training and development plans; ensure certification via written and on-the-job training is completed for all team members.
Coach and provide direction to Process Leads and Technicians.
Review labor requirements, maintain a standard staffing model, and deploy personnel across shifts to current production and ship requirements.
Meet with each team member regularly so development plans stay aligned with team and company goals and problems are identified early.
Develop the ability to function as an effective Process Area Manager in all areas of manufacturing.
Demonstrate a willingness to learn through a personal leadership action plan.
Understand and actively support the company’s vision and values.
Maintain a positive work atmosphere and positive working relationships with customers, co-workers and managers.
Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.