Description
We are seeking a Senior Manager of Manufacturing Operations to lead final assembly and test (FA&T) operations for enterprise-class hardware products-including servers, storage systems, network equipment, and machine learning/AI accelerator platforms. This executive will own the end-to-end manufacturing operations strategy and execution within an assigned regional Manufacturing network of production facilities, driving world-class quality, throughput, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery at scale. In this role, you will be the execution leader for Manufacturing Operations within your assigned regional sites accountable for all aspects of final assembly, system integration, functional test, and product shipment across a multi-site manufacturing network. You will define the multi-year manufacturing operations roadmap, build high-performing teams, and transform complex production environments into lean, scalable operations that deliver enterprise hardware at industry-leading quality and velocity. As the Senior Manager, you will bring deep, tenured experience in high-mix, high-complexity hardware manufacturing-having personally led organizations through product transitions, capacity ramps, yield improvement cycles, and operational transformations. You will navigate highly dynamic environments where product mix, customer demand, and technology transitions require rapid adaptation-making high-judgment decisions that balance quality, cost, throughput, and delivery reliability. This role requires exceptional operational leadership, deep technical understanding of server/storage/network hardware architectures, and the ability to influence across engineering, supply chain, quality, and executive leadership to deliver customer commitments globally.
Key job responsibilities
Final Assembly & System Integration Operations
Own end-to-end final assembly operations for enterprise hardware products (servers, storage arrays, network switches/routers, and ML/AI accelerator systems) across multiple manufacturing sites
Drive production readiness for new product introductions (NPI), ensuring manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, and work instructions are validated and qualified before volume ramp
Establish and optimize production line layouts, material flow, and workstation design to maximize throughput, minimize cycle time, and ensure ergonomic safety standards
Lead regional/site level capacity planning and production scheduling to meet customer demand signals, managing complex trade-offs between product mix, line utilization, and delivery commitments
Drive the manufacturing execution system (MES) strategy, ensuring real-time visibility into WIP status, station-level yields, and production bottlenecks
Drive continuous improvement through lean manufacturing principles, kaizen events, and value stream mapping to eliminate waste and improve operational efficiency
Test Engineering & Quality Operations
Manage the functional test, system-level test, and burn-in/stress test operations for all enterprise hardware platforms, ensuring products meet rigorous quality and reliability standards before shipment
Support test coverage optimization-balancing fault detection effectiveness against test time and cost to achieve industry-leading defect escape rates
Lead root cause analysis and corrective action (RCCA) processes for field returns, test escapes, and production quality issues, driving systemic improvements back into the manufacturing process 4. Establish and maintain statistical process control (SPC) programs, monitoring critical-to-quality (CTQ) parameters across assembly and test operations
Partner with hardware engineering and test development teams to define Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) requirements for next-generation products 6. Own outgoing quality metrics including DPMO, first-pass yield (FPY), and customer-reported defect rates, driving year-over-year improvement targets
Operational Leadership & Team Development
Lead and develop a multi-site manufacturing operations organization including production managers, test engineers, process engineers, and manufacturing technicians
Build a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization
Establish clear performance management frameworks, career development paths, and succession planning for manufacturing leadership roles
Drive organizational capability building in areas such as advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, and data-driven decision making
Foster cross-functional collaboration between manufacturing operations, hardware engineering, supply chain, and customer fulfillment teams
Own the talent strategy for manufacturing operations, including workforce planning, skills development, and retention programs for critical technical roles
Supply Chain & Vendor Manufacturing Partnership 1. Serve as the senior manufacturing operations regional leader interfacing with contract manufacturing (CM/OEM/ODM) partners, driving accountability for quality, delivery, and cost performance
Execute the manufacturing readiness review (MRR) process for new product introductions, ensuring partners meet qualification gates before volume production authorization
Drive supplier quality management programs including incoming material inspection, vendor scorecards, and corrective action processes
Lead make-vs-buy analysis and manufacturing footprint strategy decisions, optimizing the balance between internal and external production capacity 5. Partner with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure material availability supports production schedules, driving Clear to Build (CTB) readiness across all product lines
Establish joint continuous improvement programs with manufacturing partners, driving cost reduction roadmaps and operational efficiency gains
Data, Metrics & Operational Excellence
Define and own the manufacturing operations KPI framework including OEE, throughput, cycle time, first-pass yield, on-time delivery, and cost-per-unit metrics
Design and maintain executive dashboards providing real-time visibility into production health, quality trends, and delivery performance across all sites
Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies including IoT-enabled production monitoring, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven quality inspection systems
Develop scalable mechanisms and automation to reduce manual effort in production reporting, defect tracking, and capacity planning
Craft compelling data-driven narratives for executive reviews, translating complex operational data into strategic recommendations that shape investment priorities
Lead digital transformation initiatives in manufacturing operations, including MES modernization, automated test equipment upgrades, and smart factory capabilities
Strategic Planning & Transformation
Define and drive the 3-5 year manufacturing operations strategy, identifying capability gaps, technology investments, and capacity expansion priorities
Lead manufacturing transformation programs including automation deployment, advanced robotics integration, and lights-out manufacturing initiatives
Drive strategic initiatives to improve manufacturing agility including flexible line configurations, rapid changeover capabilities, and multi-product qualification
Own the capital expenditure planning process for manufacturing operations, building business cases for equipment investments, facility expansions, and technology upgrades
Proactively identify and mitigate operational risks including single points of failure, capacity constraints, quality systemic issues, and workforce availability challenges
Write high-quality strategic documents and investment proposals that shape manufacturing priorities at the executive level, communicating trade-offs, risks, and recommendations with clarity
A day in the life
As the Senior Manager of Manufacturing Operations, you are the operational heartbeat of enterprise hardware production. Your day balances strategic leadership with hands-on operational engagement:
Review overnight production output, yield data, and quality metrics across global manufacturing sites, triaging any blockers or missed targets with site leaders
Lead morning production stand-up with assembly, test, quality, and materials teams to align on the day's priorities, escalations, and recovery plans
Deep dive into line-level performance-analyzing station yields, cycle time variances, and test failure Pareto data to identify systemic improvement opportunities
Conduct Gemba walks on the production floor, engaging directly with technicians and engineers to understand challenges and validate process improvements
Support NPI readiness reviews for upcoming product launches, ensuring manufacturing process validation, test coverage, and quality gates are on track
Present weekly operational reviews to executive leadership, highlighting throughput performance, quality trends, delivery risks, and strategic recommendations
Work with contract manufacturing partners on capacity planning, quality improvement initiatives, and cost reduction roadmaps
Close out the day reviewing next-week production forecasts, staffing plans, and ensuring material flow supports the build schedule
Basic Qualifications
10+ years of relevant management experience in datacenter operations, facility engineering operations, information technology critical environment facilities, advanced high volume manufacturing, datacenter build-outs and scaling, or similar experience
Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent technical discipline
8+ years of people leadership experience, including managing multi-level organizations with 20-50 + team members across multiple sites
Demonstrated track record of leading high-volume, high-mix manufacturing operations delivering enterprise-class hardware at scale
Deep technical knowledge of server/storage/network hardware architectures, system integration processes, and functional/system-level test methodologies
Experience with manufacturing execution systems (MES), ERP/MRP systems, and production planning tools
Proven ability to drive operational transformation-implementing lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement programs that deliver measurable results
Experience with or managing contract manufacturing relationships (CM/OEM/ODM) for enterprise hardware production
Strong executive communication skills with experience presenting operational strategy and investment recommendations to VP/SVP-level leadership
Experience using data and metrics to drive operational decisions-proficiency with statistical analysis, SPC, and manufacturing analytics
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in Engineering, MBA, or Master's degree in Operations Management
Experience with ML/AI accelerator hardware (GPU servers, custom silicon platforms, or high-performance computing systems)
Experience leading manufacturing operations for products with complex thermal, power, and signal integrity requirements
Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Manufacturing certification, or equivalent operational excellence credentials
Experience with automated test equipment (ATE) strategy, test development, and test coverage optimization
Experience driving Industry 4.0 / smart factory initiatives including IoT, predictive analytics, and computer vision-based inspection
Experience with high-reliability manufacturing standards (IPC, J-STD, or equivalent)
Track record of leading manufacturing capacity ramps from proto@type through high-volume production
Experience with global manufacturing operations spanning multiple geographies and time zones
Willingness to travel up to 30% to manufacturing sites domestically and internationally
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits .
USA, UT, Salt Lake City - 182,300.00 - 272,500.00 USD annually
