Working at Watlow
Watlow is a global technology and manufacturing leader who provides world class engineering expertise through innovative thermal products and systems, enabling our customers to thrive. We are making a positive impact every day as our solutions enrich the lives of people everywhere. We have been providing breakthrough thermal solutions for over 100 years!
Manufacturing Manager
Location: Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah, Malaysia
Reports to: Director, Operations
About The Role
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Manufacturing Manager to lead our production operations at Kulim Hi-Tech Park. This role is responsible for overseeing daily manufacturing activities, driving operational excellence, and ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are consistently achieved.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strong leadership, coaching, and direction to Production Team.
- Lead and manage overall manufacturing operations to meet production targets and business objectives.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) to enhance productivity and efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with quality standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
- Develop and implement strategies to optimize cost, reduce waste, and improve throughput.
- Oversee workforce planning, training, and development of production teams.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance) to ensure smooth operations.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions where needed.
- Leading in product line setup and supports New Product Introduction to ensure smooth and scalable production readiness.
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to EHS standards.
- Lead problem-solving efforts for production issues and drive root cause analysis.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Science or a related field.
- Minimum 8–12 years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, production planning, and industrial best practices.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proven leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven experience in a high-mix, high-volume electromechanical assembly manufacturing environment.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
- Opportunities for career growth within a dynamic organization.
- Exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies.
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Our corporate values guide us uncompromisingly to always do the right thing, continually learn and improve, respect everyone, and lead with service and humility.