Position Overview
Camellia is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead and help build our growing Wiring Harness & Cable Assembly manufacturing operation in Irvine, California. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who has actually operated in a wiring harness or cable assembly environment and understands what a well-run facility looks like.
The ideal candidate understands cable processing, high-mix / low-volume cellular manufacturing, Lean principles, operator development, quality standards, and disciplined ERP execution. We are looking for a leader who can build scalable systems, develop people, improve flow, and create a manufacturing operation that performs above the standard.
What You'll Own
· Lead daily wiring harness and cable assembly production across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Productivity.
· Manage and develop production supervisors, line leads, and operators while establishing clear accountability and performance expectations.
· Build and continuously improve high-mix, low-volume manufacturing cells using Lean principles, standardized work, 5S, visual management, flow, and waste elimination.
· Drive production execution, labor planning, cell balancing, capacity, material flow, and on-time delivery.
· Provide hands-on leadership across cable processing including cutting, stripping, crimping, terminating, sealing, routing, labeling, testing, and final assembly.
· Build structured operator training, certification, cross-training, and skill-matrix systems.
· Ensure compliance with workmanship and quality requirements, including IPC/WHMA-A-620 where applicable.
· Establish disciplined use of ERP/MRP systems, including work orders, material transactions, production reporting, inventory consumption, and job completion.
· Partner with Engineering and Quality on NPI, DFM/DFA, process improvements, tooling, production readiness, and quality improvements.
· Drive measurable improvements in first-pass yield, labor efficiency, throughput, lead time, WIP, scrap, rework, and on-time delivery.
Lean & Cellular Manufacturing
· Apply Lean manufacturing principles to improve safety, quality, flow, productivity, and cost.
· Design and continuously improve low-volume, high-mix manufacturing cells appropriate for wiring harness and cable assembly production.
· Use takt time, cycle time, labor content, capacity, and demand to determine staffing and cell configuration.
· Develop cross-training and flexible staffing systems that allow labor to move effectively between products and cells.
· Eliminate waste related to motion, waiting, WIP, defects, overproduction, and inefficient material flow.
· Use visual management and daily accountability to sustain performance and continuous improvement.
What We're Looking For
· 7+ years of manufacturing experience with direct wiring harness or cable assembly production experience.
· 3+ years leading manufacturing supervisors, leads, and production operators.
· Demonstrated experience with high-mix, low-volume cellular manufacturing.
· Strong practical knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
· Hands-on understanding of wire processing equipment, crimping, tooling, assembly, and testing.
· Experience building operator training, certification, and production systems.
· Strong understanding of ERP/MRP logic and manufacturing work-order processes.
· IPC/WHMA-A-620 knowledge strongly preferred.
· Experience with NPI and production ramp-up preferred.
Is This Right for You?
We're looking for a builder, not a caretaker - someone who knows what an excellent wiring harness operation looks like, understands how Lean principles apply in a high-mix, low-volume cellular environment, takes initiative, develops people, builds better systems, and is motivated to create a manufacturing operation that performs above the standard.
Compensation & Benefits
· Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications
· Annual Performance Bonus
· Medical, Dental & Vision
· 401(k) with Company Match
· Paid Time Off (PTO)
· Professional Development & Career Advancement Opportunities
Pay: $60,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
