The Pole Production Manager is an integral part of our Composite Distribution Pole Development Team, working collaboratively with Applications Engineering, Marketing, and Composites Engineering team members to align product and process design with operational requirements to ensure safe, high quality, efficient and scalable manufacturing. This position will play an integral role in designing the manufacturability of our composite distribution pole product. Additional responsibilities include factory equipment installation, pilot runs, commissioning, launch planning, and scaling into full production. Although this role reports directly into the Pole Development Team, it will also have substantial direct interface with existing leadership of our Operations team to ensure that there is easy access to existing expertise, resources, and best practice sharing. An ideal candidate will have a strong track record of leading production operations, experience with new product development, implementation and scale up. Additionally, candidate will have experience operating in an organization that utilizes cross-departmental collaboration to achieve goals, the ability to generate a vision for a safe and efficient production process, and the capability of designing a road map to achieve the vision. Upon expected completion and launch of this project (estimated 12-18 months), this position will integrate into our existing Operations Leadership team with a responsibility for the people, the process, and the product for the pole business, with opportunities for career progression and professional growth for high performers. 

Essential Functions

• Support of Distribution Pole Product – Design for Manufacture
  • Represent and provide leadership for the production aspect of Pole Development Team.
  • Be actively engaged and collaborate with Pole Development Team and project support teams to execute project plan.
  • Work closely with Composite Materials Engineering and Composites Process Engineering to ensure:
    • Processes are well documented with the goal of detailed work instructions
    • Formulations and materials used in prototype designs are viable in a scaled production environment.
    • Equipment layout and materials flow in the factory are conducive to safe, efficient, scalable mass production.
    • Process engineering applied to concept and prototype poles are robust enough to be sustainable in a scaled production environment.
  • Quickly learn our Filament Winding process to be able to apply current operations where possible to assist with the Pole process and product development, and the integration of new equipment.

• Launch planning for composite distribution pole
  • Assist in pre-production line commissioning, scoping potential pain points, labor requirements, training needs, and continuous improvement opportunities.
  • Define and implement process procedures to address safety, quality, on-time delivery, and cost.
  • Document the processes and create standard work instructions.
  • Work closely with safety and quality to define and document process and procedures to ensure quality products are safely produced up to quality standards
• • Determine staffing levels and shift plans based on various demand scenarios.
  • Define KPIs for operational performance that meets targeted process times, quality levels, material yield and cost targets.
  • Engage with logistics and Manufacturing Engineers to determine packaging, storage, and truck loading parameters.
  • Collaborate with the Maintenance team and Manufacturing Engineers to identify and schedule required PMs and process upkeep to minimize unscheduled downtime.
  • Generate and clearly outline a plan to scale across multiple machines and potentially multiple locations depending on different demand scenarios.
  • Effectively lead direct and indirect reports
  • Manage and lead the department Supervisor(s), Lead(s), and crew with overall responsibility for the performance of the department.
  • Interface with Operations Team
    • Work closely with Operations Leadership to understand GEOTEK resources, tools, work practices, and systems.
    • Gain an understanding of our existing crossarm manufacturing process, and how Operational Excellence has become a competitive advantage and an essential contributor to the value we deliver to customers.
    • Engage with Operations Leadership to understand employee training approach, HR interface, labor scheduling tools, safety protocols, and other people-focused activities.
    • Support ongoing projects if/as time allows.

  Required Skills and qualifications

  • Strong track record of a Safety-first approach to manufacturing. 
  • Extensive experience successfully meeting targets for safety, quality, on-time delivery, and cost.
  • Experience managing projects with a history of delivering results that meet timeline and cost targets.
  • 4-year degree in engineering, management, or related field is preferred. Extensive directly relatable experience will be considered.
  • 3 years of experience leading teams in a manufacturing environment at the management level to include hiring/termination, employee 1 on 1’s, employee reviews, employee development, establishing expectations and maintaining accountability.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills, verbal and written.
  • Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Functional understanding of Operational Excellence principles, LEAN principles, and Six Sigma.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully support a team-based project and launch a new manufacturing or product line, building strong cross-functional relationships by understanding the “big picture” objectives of the project and how all stakeholders are affected by proposals and decisions.
  • Ability to execute a defined project management plan with a focus on meeting deadlines, while also possessing a willingness to be flexible, curious, and innovative as a project evolves, challenges are encountered, and new data is generated. 
  • • Experience with new product development and scale up in a manufacturing environment is a plus.
    • Strong computer skills with MS Office products.
    • ERP experience required; NetSuite experience is preferred. 
    • Experience with data visualization software or other KPI management tools desired.
    • Experience in the composites industry preferred, but not required.

    Physical Work Conditions

    Office versus shop floor time will fluctuate as the process develops.

    This position is based in our Stewartville, MN headquarters

    This position quires a limited amount of domestic travel (~10%).

Who We Are

For over 30 years, GEOTEK has been internationally recognized for industry leading composite technologies, engineering, and service. The company has grown PUPI® into the leading global provider of fiberglass crossarms and is committed to adding and developing other market-leading composite brands for the world’s infrastructure. The company was founded in 1990 to manufacture and market Common Sense Fencing and other pultruded fiberglass products. Early on GEOTEK also began producing utility composite crossarms for Pultruded Utility Products, Inc., a company it acquired in 2000 and renamed Pultruded Utility Products International (PUPI) to reflect the global opportunity for these products. PUPI (pronounced “puppy”) is a brand of GEOTEK. Using proprietary processes and several patented inventions, GEOTEK manufactures and distributes engineered fiberglass composites that are used by the transmission and distribution power lines and substations. The company is well positioned for sustained growth and profitability through market expansion and new product offerings. 

Our Purpose

As the global leader in composite crossarms, we aim to broaden our engineered composite products in infrastructure applications with light poles and beyond. 

Mission

Enhance the world’s infrastructure with engineered composite products. 

Vision

Develop, acquire, and grow respected composite product brands; where each product line delivers market-leading reliability, performance, and value to global infrastructure customers. 

Values

“TRUE Values” 

• TEAM –we before me 
• RELIABLE –every day in every way 
• URGENT –the drive to do 
• ENTERPRISING –be curious 

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Ancillary Benefits
• Generous PTO and 9 paid holidays
• 401k with 4% company match
• HSA employer contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Profit Sharing
• Company Events (steak cookouts, holiday parties, community giving, and more)

Learn more at GEOTEK.com

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