Manufacturing Project Manager in Sweetwater, Tennessee at Merritt Precision LLC

Company

Since 2004, Merritt Precision has specialized in large-format CNC machining solutions for various sophisticated composite parts. Experience combined with a focus on relationships has helped Merritt Precision bring our customers’ most ambitious ideas to reality and success in the marketplace. With locations in Merritt Island, FL, and Sweetwater, TN, Merritt Precision provides 3D design, scanning, milling, and tooling services to customers with diverse composite needs.

Position Summary

Merritt Precision Technologies is seeking a Manufacturing Project Manager to lead production operations, scheduling, quality performance, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable manufacturing operations while supporting the company's strategic growth objectives. The ideal candidate combines strong operational leadership with technical expertise in manufacturing, tooling, composites, materials, or lamination processes.

Essential Responsibilities

Lead Manufacturing Operations

• Oversee daily production activities to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are achieved.
• Lead and develop production supervisors and manufacturing teams.
• Drive accountability, productivity, and operational excellence throughout the organization.
• Coordinate activities between Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Program Management.

Manage Production Scheduling

• Own and maintain the master production schedule.
• Balance labor, machine capacity, materials, and customer priorities.
• Identify and resolve production bottlenecks and scheduling conflicts.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing databases to track progress and forecast workload.
• Ensure on-time delivery and schedule adherence.

Drive Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Champion a culture of quality and process discipline.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts.
• Improve first-pass yield, reduce defects, and enhance process consistency.
• Support quality systems, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing and process improvement tools to drive operational performance.

Provide Technical Leadership

• Support manufacturing processes involving tooling, composites, materials, and lamination.
• Partner with engineering teams to improve manufacturability and production efficiency.
• Evaluate new manufacturing methods, technologies, and materials to support company growth.

Support Business Performance

• Manage operations to budget and key performance targets.
• Monitor production, quality, delivery, and labor metrics.
• Contribute to strategic planning, resource planning, and operational growth initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience managing production schedules and manufacturing teams.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, capacity planning, and process improvement.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field.
• Experience with composites, tooling, materials, or lamination processes.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or quality engineering experience.
• Aerospace, marine, defense, or advanced manufacturing background.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Merritt Precision is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Merritt Precision is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a position, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. Merritt Precision engages in an interactive process with applicants and employees to identify reasonable accommodations.