Manufacturing Technical manager

Company Overview:

As the largest MTO manufacturer of sprockets in North America, we at Weller, pride ourselves on our ability to tackle the unique challenges our customers bring to us that other shops can't handle. DROP Sprockets has built a reputation for durability, precision, reliability, and speed to market, serving a variety of industries. As part of Weller Metalworks, we continue to integrate our expertise with the broader capabilities of the platform delivering outstanding customer service through the many value streams we provide. Operating under a unified leadership team, we are committed to our core values while benefiting from streamlined governance and a cohesive strategic direction, ensuring continued innovation and growth.

DROP Sprockets is a leading manufacturer of high-quality sprockets for a variety of industries, including forestry, mining, and agriculture. Our products are known for their durability, precision, and reliability, and we are committed to delivering outstanding customer service to our clients. We are located in the beautiful West Kootenay's region of British Columbia, known for its stunning natural scenery and vibrant community spirit. We've worked hard to make DROP a place that we love to be Our hiring criteria is based on Aptitude, Attitude, and Skills. Take your career to the next level at one of the metal part manufacturing industry's leading global partners.

Job Description:

We are looking for a Manufacturing Technical Manager to join our growing team and support our fast-paced, high-volume, made-to-order Sprocket Manufacturer in the beautiful South Slocan, BC. We offer a relaxed and human-centric and inclusive environment where our team members are encouraged to be themselves and learn in a safe atmosphere.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Equipment Leadership

• Own and evolve the long-term equipment strategy to meet changing production demands and innovation goals.
• Partner with engineering, operations, and finance to assess, justify, and implement capital investments and technology upgrades.
• Lead cross-functional efforts on layout planning, utilities, and commissioning in support of expansion and retooling initiatives.
• Translate business objectives into actionable equipment roadmaps that support flexibility, scalability, and operational excellence.

Optimization, Modification, & Innovation

• Proactively assess equipment capabilities and lead efforts to modify, enhance, or repurpose systems for greater performance, flexibility, and output.
• Foster a culture of innovation—encouraging creative problem-solving and piloting of new technologies or automation tools.
• Evaluate and apply emerging technologies to reduce cycle times, improve quality, and eliminate process inefficiencies.
• Partner with production teams to co-develop creative solutions that remove bottlenecks and unlock process improvements.

Maintenance Excellence & Equipment Reliability

• Design and oversee a best-in-class preventative maintenance program to maximize uptime and reduce reactive work.
• Manage critical spares strategy, contractor relationships, and repair processes for rapid, cost-effective response.
• Use condition monitoring and performance data to drive predictive and reliability-centered maintenance practices.
• Continuously review and refine maintenance workflows to improve response time, resource efficiency, and task prioritization.

Technical Training & Capability Building

• Develop and lead training programs that upskill both maintenance staff and operators on equipment function, troubleshooting, and care.
• Build technical depth across shifts and roles to ensure equipment reliability is a shared responsibility.
• Mentor production and maintenance personnel to drive engagement, accountability, and technical growth.
• Establish clear technical standards and promote peer learning to build a culture of equipment ownership and excellence.

Performance Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Track and report on key equipment performance indicators such as uptime, throughput efficiency, utilization rates, and system responsiveness.
• Use root cause analysis and data insights to implement targeted improvements in reliability, throughput, and safety.
• Collaborate with operations using Continuous Improvement teams to align equipment improvements with broader manufacturing goals.
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost, energy usage, and waste through technical enhancements and process optimization.

Required Knowledge & Experience:

• Experience: 5+ years in technical manufacturing leadership roles, with a focus on equipment strategy, optimization, or reliability.
• Maintenance & Reliability: Strong understanding of preventative and predictive maintenance systems, spare parts strategies, and equipment lifecycle planning.
• Equipment Innovation: Proven experience in improving or adapting equipment to meet evolving production needs.
• Capital Planning: Strong background in selecting, justifying, and commissioning new equipment or automation systems.
• Leadership: Track record of leading teams and collaborating across disciplines.
• Continuous Improvement & Data Analysis: Skilled in using technical data and root cause analysis for equipment improvement.

The Perks:

• Competitive wage, bonus structure, benefit package and long-term employment.
• Attractive shift schedule
• Team activities including the odd adventure experience.
• A great opportunity to have a long-term career in the West Kootenays with a progressive and growing manufacturing company with roots in the area.