Manufacturing Section Manager – Wafer Fab & VPS Operations
About The Position
We are seeking a Manufacturing Section Manager to lead Wafer Fab & VPS Operations within a high-growth semiconductor 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
- Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.
- 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
- Experience leading manufacturing supervisors and operators.
- Experience in semiconductor, wafer fab, cleanroom, or precision manufacturing environments.
- Semiconductor fab 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 fab 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 wafer fab 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, and Manufacturing discipline.
- Utilize data-driven decision making and KPI management systems.
Benefits
- medical
- dental
- vision
- EAP
- short-term and long-term disability
- life insurance
- flexible spending and savings accounts
- 401(k)
- ESPP
- paid time off
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
