Manufacturing Manager

Howmet Aerospace•Dover, NJ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Howmet Aerospace’s Engines division is seeking a Manufacturing Manager for Howmet Dover Casting in Dover, New Jersey, a supplier of investment-cast turbine airfoils and other components for aircraft engine and industrial gas turbine industries. The role leads manufacturing operations and is accountable for operational results, including quality, productivity, cycle time, delivery, cash flow, and customer satisfaction. The manager leads and coaches hourly employees and manufacturing support staff, promoting operational excellence and lean practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The position drives continuous improvement, establishes accountability and performance expectations, develops employees through coaching and cross-training, and coordinates with departments such as engineering, procurement, and maintenance. It uses production data, operational metrics, customer feedback, and audit findings to guide decisions and improve performance. The manager also collaborates on budgets and strategic plans, forecasts labor and equipment needs, and leads safety and quality initiatives. Flexible work hours may be required, including occasional nights and weekends. The anticipated pay range is $120,000–$150,000 per year, with rates determined by factors including experience, education, and certifications. The posting is intended to establish a pipeline for anticipated future business needs; applicants may be considered for current or future opportunities. Relocation to other company locations may be required for future career development and business needs. Employment eligibility verification is required, and visa sponsorship is unavailable. The position entails access to export-controlled items, and offers are conditioned on the applicant’s ability to lawfully obtain access.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
At least five years of experience in a manufacturing environment with increasing responsibility, including supervisory experience.
Willingness to relocate to other company locations to support future career development opportunities and business requirements.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire.
Ability to lawfully obtain access to export-controlled items.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and data analysis tools.
Strong communication skills across all organizational levels, supporting transparent dialogue, collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Ability to lead and inspire a team in a fast-paced, results-driven environment and align employees with plant operational goals and quality standards.
Flexible work hours may be required, including occasional nights and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with lean manufacturing and continuous-improvement initiatives, including participation in Kaizen projects.
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
Experience with Material Resource Planning (MRP) and Six Sigma methodologies.
At least eight years of experience in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Drive plant continuous-improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles and tools such as Kaizen, 5S, and value stream mapping.
Reduce work-in-progress, cycle time, waste, operational bottlenecks, and constraints, and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), product flow, and resource utilization.
Develop and implement standard operating procedures to optimize processes and operational performance.
Lead cost reduction and quality improvement while maintaining customer satisfaction.
Establish clear performance expectations and accountability, track progress against metrics and goals, identify performance gaps, and lead timely corrective actions.
Remove individual and systemic obstacles to productivity and ensure employees have the tools and training needed to perform.
Develop and mentor employees, including through cross-training; foster collaboration, open communication, and continuous learning.
Conduct performance reviews and feedback sessions to assess progress and identify development needs.
Maintain communication and alignment across management, production teams, and support staff.
Develop action plans based on data analysis, customer feedback, and operational insights; coordinate production activities and resources with other departments.
Regularly communicate operational metrics and results to upper management.
Forecast, monitor, and improve TRR (Total Recordable Rate), LU (Labor Utilization), OEE, and variable cost per hour.
Analyze production data and trends to improve efficiency and minimize downtime; participate in audits and use feedback to refine processes.
Collaborate with the plant manager and staff on budgets, strategic plans, and team goals.
Forecast labor and equipment needs based on long-term production forecasts and make timely decisions that balance production priorities and strategic goals.
Lead safety initiatives and regulatory compliance, promote proactive problem-solving, and improve plant safety standards and work practices.
Develop and enforce processes that reduce waste and improve product quality while maintaining or improving production timelines.