Job Description
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Plant Manager to lead our multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) manufacturing operations in Valencia, CA. This on-site leadership role is responsible for ensuring the plant consistently meets tactical performance goals in quality, delivery, and cost, while also driving strategic initiatives to elevate operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will play a key role in transforming our U.S. MLCC facility, guiding it toward the next level of manufacturing excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive the plant's performance to consistently meet or exceed annual targets in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Yield, and Cost.
- Collaborate closely with R&D teams to ensure seamless transitions from product design to full-scale production.
- Align operational priorities with commercial objectives to support overall business strategy and execution.
- Process Optimization: Identify and eliminate inefficiencies and bottlenecks in manufacturing workflows to boost productivity, quality, and yield.
- Manufacturing Systems Enhancement: Improve existing systems or implement advanced manufacturing technologies to increase overall factory efficiency.
- Lean Methodologies: Lead the adoption and execution of lean tools and practices to streamline operations, minimize waste, and drive sustainable improvements.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Analyze key performance metrics to uncover trends and provide actionable insights that support continuous improvement.
- Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Track progress against improvement initiatives and proactively address areas requiring additional focus.
- P&L Impact: Drive improvements in forecast accuracy, bill of materials (BOM), and Oracle resource planning; manage working capital to improve inventory turns and align spending with lean operational goals.
- Collaborate with corporate teams to translate strategic roadmaps into actionable plans that deliver measurable results.
- Develop and implement comprehensive operational plans aligned with the factory's goals and long-term objectives.
- Foster cross-functional alignment to ensure seamless execution of strategic initiatives across departments.
- Cultivate a results-driven culture rooted in accountability and ownership at all levels.
- Promote a mindset of continuous improvement through innovation and proactive problem-solving.
- Leverage and implement Knowles best practices to accelerate operational excellence.
- Attract, engage, and develop top-tier talent to build a high-performing team.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
- Bachelor's degree, preferably in a technical or engineering discipline.
- 8- 10 years of proven experience in Manufacturing / Operations leadership, 5 years in a Plant Management role with a strong track record of performance.
- Demonstrated expertise in execution excellence and building a high-performance operations culture.
- Proven ability to lead continuous improvement initiatives across plant-wide operations.
- Skilled in developing and executing operational strategies that deliver measurable results.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage effectively with Knowles leadership and cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with experience leading factory teams through change and improvement.
- Experience in electrical or electronic component manufacturing (e.g., capacitors, semiconductors) is a strong advantage.
- Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma certification (belt level) is a plus.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish is required
The annual salary for this role is: $200,000 - $240,000
#KPD
Shift: First Shift
Compensation: $200,000 - $240,000 annually
Additional Details : Knowles is a leading manufacturer of specialty electronic components. We design parts that perform unique, critical functions for innovative technologies. Through extreme reliability, custom engineering, and scalable manufacturing, we enable businesses to succeed in the most demanding applications across medtech, defense, and industrial markets. Our high-performance capacitors, RF and microwave filters, advanced medtech microphones, balanced armature speakers, and miniaturization products enable and enhance the performance of technologies with the power to change, improve, and save lives. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles has grown into a global organization with employees spanning 11 countries. What's in it for you on Day 1: * Medical, dental and vision insurance plans * Prescription Drug Plans * Basic Life Insurance * 401k plan with company match * Tuition Reimbursement Program * Employee Referral Program * Hourly Overtime opportunities * Paid Time Off * Paid Holidays Exciting Onsite Perks: * Free coffee available at our cafeteria * Employee Appreciation Events Knowles is committed to providing a competitive and fair total compensation package for all employees. Individual compensation decisions are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to previous experience and skills acquired prior to joining Knowles, cost of living in the assigned work location, assigned schedule, and salaries of similarly situated peers at the company. It is to be expected that candidates will come to us with different sets of skills and experiences and therefore will be paid at different points in the stated range. We recognize that the person(s) we select for hire may be less experienced or more experienced than the role as posted; if this is the case, any updates to available salary ranges will be communicated with candidates during the recruitment process. Equal Opportunity Statement: Knowles Precision Devices prohibits pay discrimination and discrimination of any kind based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or other legally protected status. ITAR Statement: Please note that this position may require access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons (citizens, lawful permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status) or have the necessary authorization to access controlled technical data. Compliance with ITAR and EAR regulations is a condition of employment. Notice to Staffing Agencies, Search Firms and Recruitment Agencies: The recruitment process at Knowles is managed through the Human Resources department. Knowles does not accept resumes submitted from 3rd party agencies outside of our system. To submit resumes, 3rd party agencies will need to be a pre-approved vendor with a valid contract in place, be actively engaged by Knowles to recruit for a specific position and have agency log in credentials to submit candidates to our careers portal. Please do not submit resumes via e-mail, through our external website or directly to our employees. Any resumes submitted in this way become the property of Knowles and will not be eligible for any placement fee.
