Manufacturing/Production Manager

Pay range: $125-150k/yr. DOE

**This position is located in Syracuse, NY.

We are seeking a highly capable and results‑driven Manufacturing/Production Manager to lead our growing, low‑volume/high‑complexity production operation focused on advanced cryogenic refrigeration systems. This role oversees multiple production departments along with the manufacturing engineering and maintenance teams, ensuring seamless coordination across all stages of the manufacturing process.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on, strategic leader who thrives in a dynamic technical environment with an eagerness to become deeply involved in the day-to-day production processes. They will drive daily operational performance, optimize workflows, and support continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining rigorous standards of safety, quality, and efficiency. Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and analytical skills are essential for success.

The Manufacturing/Production Manager ensures that production schedules are accurate and achievable, resources are effectively allocated, and key performance targets are consistently met. This position also requires strong data‑gathering and analysis capabilities to support sound decision‑making, anticipate disruptions, and sustain long‑term operational stability.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical manufacturing operation and make a real, visible impact. As Manufacturing/Production Manager, you will play a key role in driving performance, building strong teams, and shaping how products are built, delivered, and continuously improved. If you thrive in a hands-on manufacturing environment, enjoy solving complex operational challenges, and are motivated by improving safety, quality, and efficiency, this role offers the chance to lead meaningful change and help scale a growing operation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lead and manage daily manufacturing operations across multiple production departments and shifts

• Oversee production, manufacturing engineering, and maintenance teams to ensure alignment with production goals

• Manage the entire production lifecycle from planning and scheduling through execution and delivery

• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement

• Develop, maintain, and execute accurate production schedules to meet customer demand and business objectives

• Lead safety initiatives and ensure compliance with OSHA, company policies, and regulatory requirements

• Ensure efficient utilization of labor, equipment, materials, and resources

• Lead and sustain Lean and Six Sigma initiatives, including 5S, standard work, waste reduction, visual management, and continuous improvement programs

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity

• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and use data to drive operational decisions

• Identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements to increase throughput and efficiency

• Partner with Engineering to support new product introductions, process changes, and capital projects

• Ensure preventive and corrective maintenance programs support production uptime and equipment reliability

• Lead the selection, training, coaching, and development of supervisors and production staff.

• Collaborate with Quality to ensure products meet internal and customer quality standards

• Support budgeting, cost control, and productivity improvement efforts

• Participate in strategic planning and support long-term operational capacity planning

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Job Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, scheduling, and capacity planning

• Demonstrated success driving continuous improvement (Lean and Six Sigma, etc.)

• Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, results-driven environment

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree in engineering with 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably low‑volume/high‑complexity or engineered‑to‑order production, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with safety programs and regulatory compliance. ERP/MRP system experience; using KPIs and data to drive performance improvements. Experience with new product introduction and process improvement projects a plus. Professional certifications are a plus, including Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE), Project Management Professional (PMP), or Certified Plant Manager (CPM).

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, and have hand and finger dexterity. The employee is regularly required to see, talk and hear. The employee may occasionally, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee will frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  

Work Environment

This job operates in and out of a professional office environment. This position will have work that may be in an office or manufacturing setting.  This position interacts with both internal and external customers in a professional, courteous manner, while keeping information confidential as needed. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, filing cabinets and copiers.  While in the manufacturing environment, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to humid conditions; fumes or airborne particles; heat; cold; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud. Mandatory PPE must be worn as required.

Employee Benefits

Bluefors offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401K, long and short-term disability, life, training, tuition reimbursement, and Paid Time Off (PTO).

At Bluefors, we are proud to design and manufacture world-class cryogenic solutions that enable breakthrough discoveries. From our Syracuse, NY facility, home to Cryomech product lines, we develop and build cryogenic systems that power advances in quantum technology, scientific research, and other cutting-edge industries.

Founded in Finland in 2008, Bluefors quickly became the global leader in ultra-low temperature systems. With the addition of Cryomech, Syracuse-based pioneer since 1963, our combined expertise allows us to deliver reliable, high-performance products that scientists, innovators, and industries depend on every day.

Our team of 600+ professionals from over 50 nationalities is united by curiosity, craftsmanship, and a share mission: to help our customers go further. Whether building precision cryocoolers, engineering complete measurement systems, or supporting our products in the field, we focus on quality, collaboration and progress.

Working at Bluefors means contributing to technology that has real impact worldwide. In Syracuse, our employees are the heart of producing the cryogenic systems that enable tomorrow's discoveries - while building rewarding careers in engineering, manufacturing, quality, finance, sales, service and beyond.

*This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization.

Bluefors Cryocooler Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of disability status, veteran status, or any other New York State or federally protected characteristic.