Production Manager - Manufacturing

Symmetrio is recruiting a Production Manager for our customer, a medical technology manufacturer developing and producing advanced systems used in cancer treatment and other specialized healthcare applications.

The Production Manager will lead manufacturing operations for complex, low-volume capital equipment, with responsibility for production execution, team leadership, build schedules, quality, capacity planning, testing, commissioning, and continuous improvement. This role will work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Logistics, and Program Management to ensure production milestones are achieved while maintaining compliance with established processes and quality standards.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing production in a low-volume, high-mix, high-complexity environment, preferably within medical devices, capital equipment, aerospace, defense, or semiconductor manufacturing. The position requires a hands-on manufacturing leader who can translate production plans into labor and capacity requirements, identify manufacturing risks, resolve recurring issues, and develop a skilled production organization.

This is a full-time, onsite position in Littleton, MA, with a salary range of $135,000–$150,000, depending on experience, plus a target bonus of 10%.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production operations, assigning work and managing production leads, technicians, and test and commissioning personnel against established build schedules.
• Own execution of daily and weekly build plans, including work order readiness, material and kit verification, production status, and work order completion.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Logistics, and Program Management to resolve production constraints and maintain schedule commitments.
• Monitor and communicate production status, capacity, risks, issues, and milestone performance to management and cross-functional leadership.
• Maintain accurate production, capacity, and build data within ERP/MRP systems to support planning, forecasting, and SIOP activities.
• Lead factory testing and commissioning activities for complex capital equipment, including startup, troubleshooting, repair, preliminary testing, and final testing.
• Apply lean manufacturing practices including standard work, 5S, visual management, and continuous improvement to improve production efficiency and consistency.
• Maintain a safe and effective production environment, including factory layout, material flow, tooling, equipment, utilities, and environmental controls.
• Partner with Quality to investigate manufacturing-related nonconformances, identify root causes, implement permanent corrective actions, and reduce recurring defects.
• Represent Manufacturing in CAPA, Material Review Board, internal and external audits, and other quality activities while maintaining accurate production records.
• Review engineering changes affecting production and provide manufacturing impact, manufacturability, and build-readiness assessments.
• Assess manufacturing readiness for new or transferred products, including work instructions, drawings, tooling, fixtures, training, and required skill coverage.
• Identify process and documentation gaps and work with document owners to implement and close required changes through established change control processes.
• Develop cross-training programs and maintain skill coverage across critical manufacturing operations to reduce single-point dependencies.
• Develop production leads and technicians in structured problem solving and empower teams to resolve routine manufacturing issues at the floor level.
• Establish team objectives, conduct performance reviews, support employee development, and manage hiring and retention as the production organization grows.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Business Administration, or a related field required; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of manufacturing experience, including 3+ years directly managing production teams.
• Experience managing production in a low-volume, high-mix, high-complexity environment such as medical devices, capital equipment, aerospace, defense, or semiconductor manufacturing.
• Experience working within a regulated quality system, preferably ISO 13485 or FDA 21 CFR Part 820, with knowledge of nonconformance, CAPA, device history records, and change control.
• Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems, including work orders, production scheduling, material shortages, and capacity planning.
• Strong ability to analyze ERP and production data and translate demand plans into labor requirements, work-center capacity, and headcount needs.
• Experience developing and enforcing standardized work, work instructions, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work effectively across Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, and Program Management.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, 5S, visual management, OEE, or other continuous improvement methodologies is preferred.
• Experience with structured problem-solving methods such as A3, 8D, or Six Sigma is preferred.
• Experience with SIOP/S&OP, PMO, or formal project governance processes is preferred.
• Experience manufacturing, testing, or commissioning complex technical equipment is a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)