Pre-Production Manager, SR

TTM•Chippewa Falls, WI

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Pre-Production is responsible for overseeing and aligning key functions—including Inside Sales, Front-End Engineering, and Purchasing—to ensure a smooth transition from customer inquiry to manufacturing. This role requires a strategic leader with strong organizational and cross-functional coordination skills to drive efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction. This position will work closely with the manufacturing to align production strategies, enhance workflow efficiency, and improve coordination between front end operations and manufacturing.

Requirements

Experience and knowledge with ISO 9000, ISO 14000, and AS9100
Proven analytical and problem solving skills within manufacturing driving urgency towards improvement plans and project teams to successful completion
Intermediate knowledge with Lean Manufacturing concepts and components including 5S, Standard Work, Problem Solving, and Poke-Yoke
Capable of developing and executing effective plans; identifying obstacles and countermeasures as well as communicating effectively to achieve individual and group goals
Able to juggle multiple tasks and make quality decisions without negative impact on others
Excellent computer skills, specifically Excel and PowerPoint
Strong background in the use and understanding of key manufacturing performance metrics
Strong communication, planning, organizational and leadership skills
Ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization
Due to ITAR requirements, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
6+ years of experience working in a hi-tech manufacturing, engineering, or related field is preferred.
6+ years of experience in a supervisory role is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the Inside Sales, Customer Service, Front-End Engineering, and Purchasing teams
Develop and manage KPIs and performance metrics to ensure team effectiveness and accountability
Foster a culture of collaboration, efficiency, and continuous improvement
Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for team members
Oversee the entire pre-production process, ensuring accurate and timely execution from order intake to manufacturing readiness
Collaborate with Inside Sales to ensure accurate quoting, order processing, and customer communication
Ensure Front-End Engineering is leading manufacturability reviews and process optimization
Manage Purchasing to ensure timely procurement of materials, supplier coordination, and cost control
Partner with the Inside Sales team to evaluate customer requirements, provide guidance, and enhance the customer experience
Ensure teams timely responses to RFQs (Requests for Quotes) and contribute to pricing strategies
Identify/implement process enhancements to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and reduce cost
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices
Utilize data-driven insights to optimize workflows and eliminate production bottlenecks
Act as a bridge between Sales, Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain teams to ensure smooth order release to manufacturing
Work closely with Manufacturing and Quality teams to resolve production feasibility concerns
Strengthen supplier relationships to improve cost efficiency and material availability