Manufacturing Manager - 2nd Shift
Description
Production Manager, Second Shift
CNC Machining & Manufacturing Operations
ALIGN PRECISION
425 Privet Road
Horsham, PA 19044
Build the Future of Precision Manufacturing
ALIGN PRECISION is seeking an experienced, hands-on, and results-oriented Production Manager, Second Shift to lead CNC machining and secondary manufacturing operations at our state-of-the-art precision manufacturing facility in Horsham, Pennsylvania.
This is a unique opportunity to serve as the senior manufacturing leader for second-shift operations, driving safety, quality, delivery performance, workforce development, and operational excellence during a critical production window. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing our manufacturing capabilities, strengthening organizational culture, and supporting the company's continued growth.
Reporting directly to the Director of Operations, the Production Manager will partner closely with first-shift leadership, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production Control, Program Management, and Human Resources to ensure seamless shift-to-shift execution, achievement of customer commitments, and continuous improvement of manufacturing performance.
We are seeking a visible and engaged manufacturing leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, develops high-performing teams, solves complex operational challenges, and delivers measurable business results.
Position Summary
The Second Shift Production Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of second-shift manufacturing operations, including CNC machining, EDM, deburring, cleaning, and assembly functions.
As the senior operational leader on second shift, this position is accountable for maintaining a safe, productive, and highly disciplined manufacturing environment while ensuring production schedules, quality requirements, and customer commitments are achieved. The role requires independent decision-making, strong cross-functional collaboration, and effective shift-to-shift communication to maintain operational continuity across the facility.
This leadership position drives performance in the areas of Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, Cost, and People Development, while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
The ideal candidate combines deep CNC machining expertise with exceptional leadership skills, business acumen, and a passion for building high-performing manufacturing teams.
Key Responsibilities
Safety, Quality & Operational Leadership
- Serve as the primary manufacturing leader for all second-shift operations.
- Champion a culture where safety, quality, and accountability are foundational expectations.
- Drive performance against key operational metrics, including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, and Cost.
- Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability across all production teams.
- Maintain a strong and visible presence on the production floor to ensure adherence to standard work, safety procedures, quality requirements, and company policies.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, customer, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead immediate response and escalation efforts for quality, production, equipment, and personnel issues occurring during second shift.
- Utilize shift crossover periods effectively to coordinate priorities, communicate risks, and ensure uninterrupted production flow between shifts.
- Partner with Engineering and Quality to resolve manufacturing issues and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
Production Execution & Schedule Attainment
- Lead daily manufacturing operations to ensure production schedules and customer delivery commitments are achieved.
- Translate production requirements into clear priorities and actionable plans for supervisors, leads, machinists, and operators.
- Monitor workflow, machine utilization, staffing levels, labor efficiency, and capacity to maximize throughput and on-time delivery.
- Ensure labor, equipment, tooling, programs, fixtures, materials, and support resources are aligned with production requirements.
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to material shortages, equipment reliability, labor availability, process constraints, and production bottlenecks.
- Drive rapid recovery plans when performance falls behind schedule.
- Collaborate with Operations and Supply Chain leadership to evaluate capacity requirements and address current and future manufacturing constraints.
- Ensure accurate production reporting, shift communications, and escalation of critical operational issues.
People Leadership & Workforce Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing manufacturing team focused on accountability, teamwork, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Foster an engaged culture built on communication, respect, trust, employee involvement, and ownership.
- Establish clear performance expectations and provide timely coaching, recognition, performance feedback, and corrective action when appropriate.
- Partner with Human Resources and first-shift leadership on workforce planning, employee relations, engagement, retention, and succession planning.
- Support apprenticeship programs, technical training, cross-training, and career development initiatives.
- Develop workforce flexibility through skills-matrix management and cross-functional capability development.
- Identify and cultivate future leaders within the organization through structured development opportunities and mentorship.
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives across second-shift operations.
- Lead efforts to improve safety, quality, productivity, capacity, equipment effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.
- Drive reductions in setup times, cycle times, scrap, rework, downtime, and overall manufacturing costs.
- Lead structured root cause investigations and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.
- Partner with Engineering to improve process capability, setup efficiency, tooling utilization, and manufacturing effectiveness.
- Drive the implementation and sustainment of 5S, visual management, standardized work, and operational discipline.
- Utilize manufacturing data and performance metrics to identify trends, prioritize improvements, and measure results.
- Support the development of scalable manufacturing systems and processes that enable future business growth.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Lead daily shift-start and shift-end operational reviews to ensure alignment and effective communication across shifts.
- Collaborate closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production Control, Program Management, Finance, Maintenance, and Human Resources.
- Support new product introductions (NPI), production transfers, process validations, and manufacturing ramp-up initiatives.
- Ensure production readiness through effective planning, staffing, equipment preparation, training, and process control.
- Act as the primary communication link between second-shift operations and site leadership.
- Foster a collaborative environment where teams work together to solve problems, remove barriers, and achieve business objectives.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of manufacturing experience within a precision machining environment.
- Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing CNC machining or advanced manufacturing operations.
- Strong understanding of CNC machining processes, tooling, setup reduction, process control, production planning, and manufacturing constraints.
- Demonstrated success improving Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, and Cost performance metrics.
- Proven experience leading Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of root cause analysis, problem-solving methodologies, 5S, visual management, and standardized work.
- Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams.
- Strong analytical, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and motivate teams at all organizational levels.
- Ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day operational execution in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Willingness to work primarily on second shift while providing flexibility to support business needs across multiple shifts as required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- Experience within aerospace, defense, medical device, semiconductor, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Experience supporting new product introductions, product transfers, and production ramp-up activities.
- Experience leading operations within a rapidly growing manufacturing organization.
- Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and data-driven manufacturing management.
- Lean Manufacturing certification or equivalent continuous improvement experience.
Leadership Attributes
Visible and Engaged
Leads from the production floor, maintains a strong presence with employees, and actively supports operational success where the work is performed.
People Developer
Builds organizational capability through coaching, mentoring, training, succession planning, and employee development.
Results-Oriented
Sets high expectations, creates accountability, and consistently delivers business results.
Decisive Problem Solver
Utilizes data, structured problem-solving, and sound judgment to address issues quickly and effectively.
Strategic Operator
Balances immediate production priorities with long-term considerations related to workforce development, capacity planning, equipment investment, and operational growth.
Collaborative Leader
Works effectively across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, and Maintenance to achieve shared business objectives.
Continuous Improvement Champion
Challenges the status quo and relentlessly pursues safer, more efficient, and more effective ways to operate.
Why ALIGN PRECISION?
At ALIGN PRECISION, our success is built on exceptional people, operational excellence, and investment in advanced manufacturing technologies.
Our Horsham facility offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a growing organization where your leadership will directly influence culture, performance, customer satisfaction, and future growth. As the leader of second-shift operations, you will play a critical role in developing talent, strengthening manufacturing systems, improving operational performance, and helping shape the future of a world-class precision manufacturing organization.
If you are a hands-on manufacturing leader who is passionate about developing people, improving performance, and delivering operational excellence, we encourage you to apply.
ALIGN PRECISION is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
