Operations Manager

Flex · California

Apply on Flex ↗

Level: Manager
Team: Production
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 5+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: 8 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A management production role at Flex (industrial) in California.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, OEE, Capacity planning, MES

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Production Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $122k–$177k.

Median of the low and high ends of 37 live postings that list pay, out of 111 production engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 110 other live production postings in California.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Typical (5+ years)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ New product launch 37%
✓ Lean 30%
Root cause 27%
Automation 24%
Python 22%
✓ Team leadership 22%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Kaizen, OEE, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Flex
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

Full description from FlexAs posted on their careers site.Show

Job Summary

To support our extraordinary teams who build great products and contribute to our growth, we're looking to add an Operations Manager located in Milpitas, California .

The Operations Manager will lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across multiple production areas, including SMT, PCBA, mechanical assembly, backend assembly, and cleanroom operations , ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of production plans. This role is responsible for achieving operational performance targets related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory, and customer satisfaction while developing a high-performing team focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Show full description ↓

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world.

A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment. If you are excited about a role but don't meet every bullet point, we encourage you to apply and join us to create the extraordinary.

What a Typical Day Looks Like

•Lead daily manufacturing operations across SMT, PCBA, mechanical assembly, backend assembly, and cleanroom production areas.
•Drive execution of production plans to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Inventory (SQDCI) objectives.
•Ensure production schedules are met while maintaining customer, regulatory, and quality compliance.
•Monitor and improve key operational metrics, including throughput, OEE, productivity, FPY, labor efficiency, and inventory performance.
•Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve operational challenges and support business growth initiatives.
•Implement continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and visual management principles.
•Develop workforce capabilities through coaching, training, performance management, and succession planning.
•Lead problem-solving, corrective actions, capacity planning, new product introductions (NPI), and resource allocation to drive operational excellence.

The Experience We're Looking to Add to Our Team

•Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
•5+ years of manufacturing operations leadership experience within electronics manufacturing or a similar industry.
•Proven experience leading supervisors, team leads, and production teams in high-volume manufacturing environments.
•Strong knowledge of SMT, PCBA, system integration, mechanical assembly, backend manufacturing, and/or cleanroom operations.
•Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies, with Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.
•Working knowledge of production planning, inventory control, quality systems, manufacturing KPIs, and operational performance improvement.
•Proficiency with ERP, MES, and Microsoft Office applications, along with the ability to make data-driven decisions in a fast-paced environment.
•Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and team-building skills, EMS experience, and knowledge of IPC standards or regulated manufacturing environments are preferred.

What you'll receive for the great work you provide

•Full range of medical, dental, and vision plans
•Life Insurance
•Short-term and Long-term Disability
•Matching 401(k) Contributions
•Vacation and Paid Sick Time
•Tuition Reimbursement