POSITION SUMMARY
The Manager of Special Processes is responsible for the daily leadership, technical execution, quality performance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of all Gold, Nickel, and Electroless Nickel plating operations. This position manages production, process control, laboratory coordination, personnel development, equipment maintenance, customer compliance, and military specification requirements while ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are achieved.
The Manager serves as the primary operational leader for all plating activities and is responsible for maintaining process integrity and compliance with Industrial standards and quality standards ISO9001:2015, NADCAP, AS9100, military specifications, aerospace standards, and customer-specific requirements.
This role requires daily on-site presence at our manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona
ESSENTIAL DUTIES (responsibilities include, but are not limited to)
Special Process Operations Management
- Lead and manage all Gold, Nickel, and Electroless Nickel plating operations. To assure chemistry performance
- Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining the highest quality standards.
- Partner with operation to monitor daily throughput, yields, efficiency, labor utilization, and operational performance of the plating lines.
- Manage staffing, scheduling, training, and workforce development activities of the assigned teams
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction.
- Ensure compliance with all work instructions, process specifications, and operating procedures.
Laboratory and Chemistry Oversight
- Partner with laboratory personnel to maintain bath chemistry and analytical testing programs.
- Monitor:
Metal concentrations
pH levels
Temperature controls
Additive concentrations
Contaminant levels
Filtration effectiveness
- Ensure accurate laboratory documentation and testing records.
- Coordinate chemical additions and bath maintenance activities.
- Work directly with chemical suppliers to optimize process performance.
- Coordinate chemical additions and bath maintenance activities.
- Work directly with chemical suppliers to optimize process performance.
- Review and approve process parameters and operating windows.
Leadership Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, lead operators, technicians, and support personnel.
- Conduct performance evaluations and development planning.
- Build a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Maintain workforce training and certification records.
- Support succession planning and employee engagement initiatives.
SKILLS
Special Process Management
- Maintain technical oversight of:
Gold Plating
Hard Gold Plating
Soft Gold Plating
Electrolytic Nickel Plating
Electroless Nickel Plating
Surface Preparation Processes
Cleaning and Activation Processes
Stripping Operations
Masking Operations
Post-Plating Treatments
- Review and approve process parameters and operating windows.
- Monitor plating bath performance and chemistry trends.
- Ensure process capability and product conformity requirements are consistently achieved.
- Lead troubleshooting efforts related to plating defects, non-conformances, and customer complaints.
Quality and Regulatory Compliance
AS9100
ISO 9001
NADCAP Chemical Processing
NADCAP Laboratory Requirements
OSHA Regulations
EPA Regulations
State and Local Environmental Requirements
- Support customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
- Lead corrective and preventive action programs.
- Monitor process control systems and statistical performance data.
- Ensure all process certifications and operator qualifications remain current.
- Review and disposition non-conforming product as required.
Technical Skills
Strong knowledge of:
- Precious Metal Plating Technologies
- Electroless Nickel Chemistry
- Surface Preparation Processes
- OSHA Safety Training
Safety, Loss Prevention and Procedural Compliance:
Follows Company guidelines for managing confidential information, customer satisfaction and working with GTI personnel
- Follow safety practices such as: washing hands, wearing any required PPE for the position
- Ensures satisfactory maintenance, appearance and condition of assigned area to comply with security, safety and environmental codes and ordinances
- Enforces compliance with all local, state, federal regulations and company policy pertaining to safety and loss prevention
- Ensure compliance with:
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's Degree in:
- Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, orRelated Technical Discipline
Equivalent industry experience may be considered.
Experience
- Minimum 7-10 years of plating or special process manufacturing experience.
- Minimum 3-5 years of management or supervisory experience.
- Hands-on experience managing:
Gold Plating Operations
Electrolytic Nickel Plating
Electroless Nickel Plating
- Experience in Semiconductor, aerospace, defense, electronics, medical device, or high-reliability manufacturing environments.
- Experience supporting NADCAP-accredited operations.
- Demonstrated success managing semiconductor, military and aerospace process compliance programs.
Certifications a plus:
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
- ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)
- NADCAP Special Process Training
- Lean Manufacturing Certification
WORKING CONDITIONS
May be exposed to various temperature changes and work environments. Ability to sit and/or stand for long period. Work includes eye-hand coordination, repetitive arm and hand movements, along with frequent interaction with customers and other employees. Noise level is moderate.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Ability to frequently reach, lift, stack and maneuver objects of varying dimensions and weights up to approximately 30-50 lbs. with a lifting aid. And up to 30 lbs. without aid.
· Ability to push and pull fully loaded hand trucks.
· Ability to stand and/or sit for long periods of time, walk and move rapidly, bend, stoop, twist and turn frequently.
· Manual dexterity and good eye-hand coordination are necessary.
· Must be able to operate related equipment such as computers, knives, scales, wrappers, compactors
· Mental alertness is necessary to ensure safe and accurate completion of work activities.
· Requires knowledge of math, weights and measures.
· Exposure to potential hazards exists with respect to equipment and work aides necessary to perform job duties.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
