Production Process Manager

About MISUMI Americas

MISUMI Americas, a division of MISUMI Group, is a leading provider of standard, configurable, and custom manufacturing solutions. By integrating a vast catalog of components with a world-class digital manufacturing platform, MISUMI Americas empowers engineers and procurement teams to accelerate innovation across the entire product lifecycle. With operations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago, the company serves as a vital partner for the most innovative companies in the Americas.

Impact In This Role

Your role as the Production Process Manager will be to oversee the end-to-end New Product Introduction (NPI) lifecycle, from the initial pre-sales quoting phase through to post-sale mass production and Lifecycle Management (LCM). You will establish highly efficient manufacturing systems, optimize direct labor costs through line balancing, and ensure top-tier product maturity. By applying LEAN principles and driving continuous improvement, you will play a critical role in ensuring 100% on-time delivery and maximizing production yield.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Pre-sales Responsibilities:

  • RFQ Assessment: Assess assembly files coming in from customers at the Request for Quote (RFQ) stages and generate the required manufacturing workflow.
  • Line Balancing & Labor Costing: Conduct line-balancing studies and assess required assembly time by calculating each motion, translating that data directly into direct labor costs.
  • CAPEX Assessment: Assess the required Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) for production line-related Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) costs.
  • LEAN Optimization: Apply LEAN principles to optimize costs wherever possible to provide highly competitive and optimized RFQ packages.

  Post-sale Responsibilities:

  • Training & Readiness: Act as the lead for operator training and line readiness for any given assembly program during NPI.
  • PFMEA Leadership: Lead Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) efforts alongside the PMO (TPM and Quality) to maintain a high Product Maturity Index through the first production run and into LCM.
  • Documentation: Generate Work Instructions (WI) and all other required production documents.
  • Tooling & Validation: Drive jigs and fixtures design and validation.
  • Pilot Builds: Execute production line validation through successful pilot builds.
  • OEE Assessment: Conduct Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) assessments to ensure line efficiency.
  • Lifecycle Management (LCM): Lead LCM responsibilities independently from the PMO once a program heads into the LCM stages.

Desired Traits

• 10+ years of experience in automotive component development, production line setup, and equipment management.
• Proven track record in end-to-end NPI-to-mass-production lifecycle management, with a history of achieving zero customer complaints.
• Strong technical skills, including advanced CAD/CAM proficiency and IATF 16949 auditing expertise.
• Business-level Japanese language proficiency (N2 level) for seamless communication with Japanese headquarters or partners.
• English proficiency in reading and writing.
• Excellent leadership skills with experience managing teams of 20+ members and fostering a continuous learning culture.

Perks and Benefits

• Housing fund, and social insurance, commercial insurance for employee and your child
• Annual leave, paid sick leave
• Team celebrations
• Annual training opportunities including English learning, technical skills certifications,
• Yearly health check-up
• And much, much more!

Interested in learning more?  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

We’re actively seeking teammates who:

• Bring diverse perspectives and experience to our culture and company. 
• Excel at being part of a strong, empathetic team.
• Thrive in an environment emphasizing respect, honesty, collaboration, and growth.
• Have an ‘always learning’ mindset that celebrates learning, not just wins. 
• Help us continue to build a world-class organization that values the contributions of all of our teammates

We encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color, people with disabilities, and veterans.