SMT Supervisor

This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/13650548 SMT Supervisor (Temp to Perm) Creative Electronics and Software (CES) is a privately owned (started in 1989) Contract Electronics and PCB Manufacturer with manufacturing locations in South Elgin IL and Las Vegas NV. We support a diversified customer base that includes: RFID, energy conservation, medical equipment, military, wireless telemetry, gaming & entertainment, smart grid, and industrial controls. Summary: The SMT (Surface Mount Technology) Supervisor is responsible for leading and coordinating all SMT production activities to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and productivity objectives are achieved. This role supervises SMT operators, technicians, and line leads while overseeing machine setup, changeovers, production schedules, process improvements, and customer quality requirements in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume contract manufacturing environment. The SMT Supervisor drives operational excellence through effective workforce management, lean manufacturing principles, continuous improvement initiatives, and adherence to IPC standards and customer specifications. Duties and Responsibilities Production Management - Supervise daily SMT production operations, including screen printing, solder paste inspection (SPI), pick-and-place, reflow, and automated optical inspection (AOI). - Ensure production schedules are executed efficiently to meet customer delivery commitments. - Coordinate machine setup, changeovers, and line balancing activities. - Monitor production performance metrics including throughput, utilization, yield, efficiency, and downtime. - Communicate production priorities and schedule changes to operators and technicians. Team Leadership - Lead, coach, and develop SMT operators, technicians, and production leads. - Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback. - Develop employee training plans and cross-training initiatives. - Promote a culture of safety, quality, teamwork, and accountability. - Assist in staffing decisions including hiring, onboarding, and disciplinary actions. Quality Assurance - Ensure compliance with IPC-A-610, IPC-J-STD-001, and customer-specific workmanship standards. - Partner with Quality Engineering to resolve defects and implement corrective actions. - Monitor first-pass yield, defect trends, and process capability. - Support internal, customer, and third-party audits. - Ensure proper documentation and traceability requirements are maintained. Process Improvement - Drive continuous improvement projects focused on quality, efficiency, and cost reduction. - Utilize Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and root-cause analysis methodologies. - Identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to optimize equipment performance. - Support new product introductions (NPI) and process validations. Equipment and Maintenance - Coordinate preventative maintenance activities with SMT technicians and maintenance personnel. - Ensure proper setup and operation of SMT equipment including printers, placement machines, reflow ovens, AOI, and support equipment. - Monitor equipment performance and escalate issues as necessary. - Work with equipment vendors and service providers when required. Inventory and Material Management - Support accurate material staging and line replenishment. - Ensure proper handling and storage of ESD-sensitive and moisture-sensitive components. - Monitor component shortages and communicate risks to production planning and materials teams. - Maintain inventory accuracy related to feeders, tooling, and consumables. Safety and Compliance - Enforce company safety policies and procedures. - Ensure compliance with OSHA, ESD, and environmental requirements. - Conduct regular safety audits and corrective actions. - Maintain a clean, organized, and safe production environment. Required Qualifications Associate degree in Electronics, Manufacturing Technology, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered. Minimum 3-5 years of SMT manufacturing experience. Minimum 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience in an electronics manufacturing environment. Strong knowledge of SMT processes, PCB assembly, and contract manufacturing operations. Experience with SMT equipment such as Fuji, Yamaha, Panasonic, ASM, Mycronic, Juki, or si