Process Excellence Manager

Role Purpose

The Excellence Manager will drive operational excellence, cost competitiveness, and scalability in a fiber optic cable assembly contract manufacturing environment. The role focuses on automation implementation, localization of materials and processes, and industrial engineering practices to improve productivity, quality, delivery, and cost (PQDC).

This position is a changeagent role, working crossfunctionally to standardize processes, reduce waste, and build a highperformance manufacturing system aligned with customer and business goals.

1. Automation Excellence

Objective: Improve productivity, consistency, and scalability through process automation and digitalization.

Responsibilities

• Identify automation opportunities across fiber optic cable assembly processes (cutting, stripping, crimping, polishing, testing, labeling, packaging)
• Lead automation feasibility studies, ROI analysis, and business cases
• Drive implementation of semiautomatic and fully automated equipment
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, and Equipment Vendors for successful deployment
• Standardize automated workstations and ensure operator training
• Implement digital tools for production monitoring, traceability, and data collection
• Support Industry 4.0 initiatives (MES, barcode/RFID, SPC, dashboards)

KRAs / KPIs

• % productivity improvement through automation
• Labor cost reduction per unit
• Automation ROI achievement vs plan
• Reduction in manual process variation and defects
• Automation project ontime delivery

2. Localization Excellence

Objective: Reduce dependency on imports and improve cost, lead time, and supply chain resilience.

Responsibilities

• Drive localization of raw materials, connectors, cables, consumables, jigs, fixtures, and tooling
• Identify and develop qualified local suppliers for fiber optic components
• Work with Quality and Engineering for supplier qualification and PPAP/FAI approvals
• Lead cost benchmarking and makevsbuy analysis
• Support value engineering and alternate material development
• Ensure localization aligns with customer specifications and telecom standards

KRAs / KPIs

• % localization achieved (value and volume)
• Cost savings through localization initiatives
• Reduction in lead time and inventory exposure
• Number of localized parts approved by customers
• Supplier quality and delivery performance

3. Industrial Engineering Excellence

Objective: Optimize manufacturing efficiency through scientific work measurement and layout optimization.

Responsibilities

• Establish standard time (SAM) for all fiber optic assembly operations
• Conduct time & motion studies and line balancing
• Optimize plant layout, material flow, and workstation ergonomics
• Drive capacity planning and manpower optimization
• Implement standardized work, SOPs, and visual controls
• Improve OEE, cycle time, and throughput
• Support NPI line setup and rampup efficiency

KRAs / KPIs

• Productivity (units per manhour)
• Line efficiency and OEE improvement
• Cycle time reduction
• Manpower optimization vs baseline
• Standard work adherence and audit scores

4. Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

Objective: Build a culture of continuous improvement and waste elimination.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean initiatives (5S, Kaizen, VSM, SMED, PokaYoke)
• Facilitate Kaizen workshops and improvement projects
• Identify and eliminate nonvalueadded activities
• Drive root cause analysis using 8D, Fishbone, 5Why
• Track CI benefits and sustain gains

KRAs / KPIs

• Number of Kaizens implemented
• Annual cost savings from CI projects
• 5S audit scores
• Waste reduction (scrap, rework, downtime)

5. CrossFunctional Leadership & Governance

Objective: Ensure alignment across functions for operational excellence goals.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, SCM, and Finance
• Support customer audits and operational reviews
• Present improvement roadmaps and progress to leadership
• Coach teams on excellence tools and methodologies
• Build internal capability in IE, automation, and lean
• Crossfunctional project success rate
• Audit outcomes and customer feedback
• Skill development and training coverage

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Manufacturing Engineering
• Lean / Six Sigma certification preferred (Green Belt / Black Belt)

Experience

• 812 years of experience in manufacturing excellence / industrial engineering
• Strong experience in contract manufacturing, electronics, cable assembly, or fiber optics preferred
• Proven track record in automation and cost reduction initiatives

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of fiber optic assembly processes and testing
• Expertise in Industrial Engineering tools and Lean Manufacturing
• Automation project management and ROI analysis
• Supplier localization and cost engineering
• Datadriven decision making and analytical skills
• Leadership, influence, and change management
• Proficiency in ERP/MES, Excel, Power BI (preferred)

Behavioral Attributes

• Resultoriented and handson approach
• Strong problemsolving mindset
• Ability to influence without authority
• Structured, disciplined, and executionfocused
• Continuous learner with innovation mindset

Success Metrics (Overall)

• Sustained productivity and cost improvement
• Improved competitiveness in customer RFQs
• Reduced dependency on imports
• Scalable and standardized manufacturing systems
• Strong CI culture across the plant