Assembly Plant Manager

Job Description

Insight Global is hiring a Plant Manager for a client in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This role will lead the build-out, launch, and ongoing operation of a new high-density fiber optic cable assembly facility. The Plant Manager will oversee internal manufacturing, contract manufacturing partners, staffing, equipment commissioning, quality, and operational performance.

Responsibilities Lead the greenfield plant build-out and production launch, including facility layout, cleanroom/assembly cells, warehouse flow, equipment installation, commissioning, and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT). Build the plant operations team from the ground up, including hiring and developing production supervisors, leads, mechanics, and fiber assembly technicians. Direct high-density fiber optic assembly operations involving MPO/MTP and MMC/VSFF connectors, pre-terminated trunk cables, breakout harnesses, and modular cassette assemblies. Establish production schedules, line balancing, takt times, staffing, WIP controls, kitting, inventory staging, and packaging processes. Select, implement, and oversee specialized equipment including automated MT-ferrule polishing systems, stripping equipment, crimpers, curing ovens, interferometers, and IL/RL test platforms. Develop production allocation strategies between the internal facility and external contract manufacturing/EMS partners, balancing capacity, cost, lead times, and demand. Manage CM performance through SLAs and metrics including On-Time Delivery, First-Pass Yield, scrap, WIP, failure analysis, and CAR/8D corrective actions. Ensure manufacturing processes meet applicable TIA and IEC fiber optic assembly standards. Partner with Quality and R&D on New Product Introduction (NPI) and transition products from pilot builds into volume manufacturing. Establish SOPs, work instructions, operator certifications, and root-cause processes using 8D and 5-Why methodologies. Drive Lean, 5S, Visual Factory, Kaizen, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives. Support implementation of ERP/MES routing, BOM management, barcode/serialization, and shop-floor production tracking.

Skills and Requirements

Requirements 10+ years of direct manufacturing management experience within fiber optic cable assembly. At least 3+ years of technical leadership with MPO/MTP multi-fiber termination or advanced high-density connector platforms such as MMC, MDC, or SN-MT. Strong experience with high-density fiber assembly processes, including precision stripping, ribbonization, epoxy dispensing, thermal curing, furcation, crimp retention, and multi-stage polishing. Hands-on knowledge of automated MT-ferrule polishing equipment, such as Domaille, Seiko, or equivalent systems. Experience with 3D non-contact interferometry, such as Sumix, Norland, Promet, or equivalent equipment. Experience with automated multi-fiber Insertion Loss/Optical Return Loss testing and digital inspection systems. Knowledge of fiber standards including TIA-568, IEC 61754-7, IEC 61755-3-31, and IEC 61300-3-35. Experience leading manufacturing teams, production ramp-ups, equipment commissioning, quality improvement, and operational performance. Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, or a related discipline, or 15+ years of relevant industry experience in lieu of a degree. Preferred Qualifications Previous experience launching or managing manufacturing operations in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. Proven experience with a greenfield plant build-out, major facility expansion, or new production line launch, including equipment selection, commissioning, layout, and staffing. Experience with US Conec MMC or Senko SN-MT connector platforms. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification. Experience integrating production equipment with MES/ERP systems, such as SAP S/4HANA, ADVARIS, or CableBuilder.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected].