Operations Manager – Power Solutions

THE CLIENT
Our client is a global leader in interconnect technology and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-performance connectivity solutions. Its portfolio includes electrical, electronic, and fiber optic connectors, cables, and advanced interconnect systems that power communications, data processing, and information storage markets such as cable, cellular, and next-generation data networks.  The company is also a trusted partner to aerospace, defense, automotive, rail, and industrial sectors, delivering performance and reliability in mission-critical applications. Joining this organization means being part of a global innovator shaping the future of connectivity across industries.

Our client seeks an experienced Operations Manager to join their Mexicali team and lead the scale-up of their manufacturing operations. This  business unit is the market leader in power electrical connectors and cable assemblies for the Telecom/Datacom market, serving applications such as storage, servers, and networking systems. This critical role will report directly to the Global Operations Director, Power Solutions.

THE POSITION

The Operations Manager will lead and scale up manufacturing operations in Mexicali to support rapid business growth and product transfers. This role is critical for driving operational excellence, cost efficiency, and timely delivery in a high-volume cable assembly environment. The position requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and hands-on execution to achieve world-class standards.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic & Financial Ownership
Manage operational budgets, cost control, and profitability for the Mexicali plant.
Develop strategies for margin improvement and productivity gains.
Meet weekly production plan, yield / FPY targets, on-time shipments (OTD), and cost adherence.
2. Operational Leadership
Oversee end-to-end assembly operations, including material flow, production planning, and scheduling.
Ensure compliance with quality standards and robust quality systems.
Ensure execution of production schedules with stable material flow and adherence to quality targets.
Actively manage deviations impacting schedule, quality, or cost.
3. Capacity & Resource Planning
Develop capacity plans to support phased production ramp-up and product transfers.
Ensure inventory accuracy and timely work order closure.
4. Continuous Improvement & Automation
Lead initiatives for cycle time reduction, labor optimization, and efficiency improvements.
Improve OEE and reduce scrap through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Demonstrate measurable improvements in cycle time, OEE, scrap reduction, and labor efficiency.
5. Team Leadership & Development
Build and mentor a high-performing team across production, quality, planning, and maintenance.
Provide training and maintain competency records for direct and indirect labor.
6. Team Development & Coaching:
Provide targeted coaching, execute cross-training plans, and maintain updated skill matrices.
Actively recognize issues, remove barriers, and unblock team constraints.
Staffing & Training Execution-Ensure staffing, training, and operational readiness are aligned prior to and during product transfers.
Develop and execute a clear Direct Labor (DL) hiring and training plan aligned with production ramp-up timelines.
Evaluate and plan risk of delayed line starts, reduced throughput, and quality issues due to untrained operators.
7. Customer & Compliance
Ensure on-time delivery and lead time reduction.
Support customer audits and maintain compliance with industry standards.
Sustain customer delivery commitments and support audit readiness through stable operational execution.
8. Project Management (Product Transfers)
Manage product transfer projects from global sites and ensure smooth integration.
Drive corrective and preventive actions for operational issues.
THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will have
Education: BS in mechanical/industrial engineering (or equivalent).
Experience: 12–18 years in manufacturing / mass production, preferably in cable assembly or related fields.
Proven leadership that set the standard through personal example.
Proven record of accomplishment in operations leadership, process engineering, and team development.
Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing, automation, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Key Competencies
Leadership and team-building skills.
Strategic thinking with hands-on execution capability.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and customer interaction skills.