External Manufacturing Manager

Overview of Role

ZwitterCo is seeking a highly hands-on and proactive External Manufacturing Planning Manager to join our Operations Team. This hybrid role is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of outsourced manufacturing and material flow-from supplier selection and onboarding through production planning, execution, and continuous improvement.

You will own the relationships with contract manufacturers while simultaneously balancing supply, demand, inventory, and capacity in a fast-paced startup environment. This role requires a blend of technical judgment and analytical rigor to build scalable systems during a period of rapid growth.

Key Responsibilities:

External Manufacturing & Partner Management
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all contract manufacturers (CMs) and key external suppliers
• Lead supplier selection, qualification, and onboarding activities
• Define and manage manufacturing scope, responsibilities, and expectations with partners
• Build strong, collaborative relationships while holding suppliers accountable to performance targets
• Act as a central point of coordination between Sales, Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain

Production Planning & Execution
• Develop and maintain short- and mid-term supply plans based on forecasts, sales orders, and production capacity
• Translate demand signals into detailed material, purchasing, and production plans
• Monitor build progress, material readiness, and capacity to proactively identify risks or lead time constraints
• Adjust plans quickly in response to changing priorities and conduct scenario planning for rapid growth or disruption
• Support production ramp-ups, transfers, and scale-up activities

Inventory & Materials Management
• Manage inventory levels and set targets (safety stock, reorder points) to support production while minimizing obsolescence
• Analyze inventory health, turns, and usage trends
• Coordinate material availability and manage expediting or de-expediting as needed
• Support cycle counts, inventory accuracy, and reconciliation activities

Quality, Cost & Compliance Management
• Ensure external manufacturing processes meet internal quality standards and customer requirements
• Partner with Quality and Engineering on nonconformance investigations, root cause analysis, and CAPAs
• Support the development and enforcement of quality agreements, control plans, and inspection requirements
• Own supplier cost structures, quotations, and make/buy decision-making
• Track and analyze supplier and planning KPIs, including on-time delivery, yield, scrap, and forecast accuracy

Manufacture Engineering & NPI Support
• Partner with R&D and Engineering to support New Product Introduction (NPI) and scale-up at external manufacturers
• Ensure design intent, specifications, and manufacturing requirements are clearly transferred to partners
• Support process development, validation, and production readiness for ramp-ups or transfers
• Manage engineering changes, configuration control at supplier sites

Process & Systems Development
• Help build and document scalable manufacturing and planning workflows appropriate for a growing operation
• Support ERP/MRP integration, system upgrades, and data accuracy related to external manufacturing
• Track and analyze key planning and supplier KPIs, such as on-time delivery, yield, scrap, and forecast accuracy
• Maintain planning data and provide clear, actionable updates to operations leadership

Critical Success Factors:
• Experience supporting manufacturing scale-ups, production ramp-ups, transfers, and supplier transitions within fast-growth organizations
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and production operations with a focus on execution and follow-through
• Highly adaptable, proactive problem-solver with strong attention to detail and the ability to work effectively in evolving environments
• Clear communicator with excellent negotiation skills who can balance collaboration with accountability
• Strong execution focus that balances a sense of urgency with accuracy and operational discipline
• Willingness to roll up sleeves to support operational execution and travel to supplier sites as needed

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related technical field
• 7-10 years of total experience in manufacturing, supply chain, or operations roles , with a minimum of 5 years specifically in supply chain, materials, or production planning
• 3+ years of direct experience managing contract manufacturers or outsourced production
• Deep understanding of supply chain fundamentals, including Bill of Materials (BOMs), routing processes, lead time determination, MOQ, capacity planning, and inventory management
• Highly proficient in utilizing ERP/MRP systems (such as NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle) and managing supply chain data
• Data-driven mindset with strong Excel/spreadsheet skills and the ability to work effectively with limited historical data or imperfect information
• Experience in a high-tech startup, scale-up, or fast-growth environment with exposure to supplier qualification, quality systems, and external audits
• Highly proficient in utilizing ERP/MRP systems and managing supply chain data

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in hardware, industrial, or manufacturing-heavy high-tech startups
• Background in regulated or quality-critical industries a plus
• Training/experience in lean manufacturing, project management or continuous improvement methodologies

Schedule, Travel, Compensation, and Location

This is a full-time position in Woburn, MA and can be remote if in Pacific Time Zone.

Travel for this role can be up to 50%, depending on location.

The compensation ranges from $120,000 to $150,000 per year, depending on experience, and also includes equity and benefits.

This position reports to the VP of Operations.