Manufacturing Section Manager – VPS Operations

FormFactor Inc.•Farmers Branch, TX

11d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Manufacturing Section Manager to lead VPS Operations within a high-growth manufacturing startup environment. This role will be responsible for establishing foundational manufacturing systems, workforce readiness, operational discipline, and startup execution capability required to successfully launch and scale fab operations. The ideal candidate combines strong manufacturing leadership with experience supporting factory startups, operational readiness activities, workforce development, and scalable manufacturing systems in semiconductor or precision manufacturing environments. This leader will play a critical role in building the operational infrastructure, manufacturing culture, and organizational capability necessary to support long-term factory success.

Requirements

Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience
Capacity Planning
Continuous Improvement
Cross-Functional Leadership
Cross-Functional Teamwork
Factory Startup
Leadership
Manufacturing Operations
Manufacturing Scale-Up
Semiconductor Manufacturing
Ship Operations
Staff Planning
Team Management
Workforce Planning
Work Readiness

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.
Manufacturing leadership experience.
Experience leading manufacturing supervisors and operators.
Experience in semiconductor, wafer fab, cleanroom, or precision manufacturing environments.
Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Assembly line startup or factory ramp experience.
Experience building manufacturing operational systems prior to production launch.
Experience supporting MES/manufacturing systems implementation.
Experience with workforce readiness, onboarding, and operator certification programs.
Experience supporting 24/7 manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

Lead manufacturing operational readiness activities prior to production launch.
Support operations startup execution, workstation readiness, and operational stabilization.
Develop and implement standardized work, escalation processes, and operational routines.
Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Facilities, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing Systems teams during startup phases.
Support factory flow optimization and manufacturing layout readiness.
Own key critical metrics: OEE, Cycle Time.
Lead new hire onboarding program and certification programs.
Lead hiring, onboarding, certification, and workforce ramp activities.
Build scalable operator training and operational readiness systems.
Develop front-line supervisors and manufacturing teams.
Establish shift operating structures and accountability systems.
Foster strong operational culture centered on safety, quality, teamwork, and accountability.
Support implementation and stabilization of MES/manufacturing applications.
Develop KPI management systems and visual operational controls.
Support staffing models, labor planning, and production readiness assessments.
Establish manufacturing operating rhythms and communication structures.
Lead daily VPS manufacturing operations across multiple shifts.
Drive performance related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and workforce effectiveness.
Support escalation management and operational issue resolution.
Reinforce contamination control, ESD, and operational compliance requirements.
Drive improvements in: Workforce readiness, Operational execution, Equipment and resources utilization, Productivity, Workflow efficiency, Manufacturing discipline.
Utilize data-driven decision making and KPI management systems.