Job Summary
The Production/Plant Manager is responsible for directing all daily operations of the Fajardo manufacturing facility. This role ensures that production targets are met through effective scheduling, resource management, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The Manager will oversee a diverse workforce, maintain high safety standards, and ensure full compliance with local Puerto Rico and federal regulations.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Operational Oversight: Direct and coordinate the daily activities of the industrial sewing, welding, cutting, and shipping departments to achieve production goals.
Production Planning: Develop and implement production schedules and workflows to ensure timely order fulfillment and optimal capacity utilization.
Quality Control: Establish and maintain rigorous quality control systems to ensure all products meet prescribed standards and customer specifications.
Personnel Management: Hire, train, evaluate, and coach staff; manage performance expectations and resolve personnel grievances in accordance with PR labor laws.
Safety & Compliance: Enforce health and safety regulations (OSHA) and ensure the facility operates in compliance with all local, state, and federal environmental and labor laws.
Budgeting & Cost Control: Manage the plant budget, monitor production costs, and implement cost-saving measures to enhance profitability.
Maintenance: Oversee routine and preventative maintenance programs for all industrial machinery (sewing machines, RF/Hot Air welders, etc.) to minimize downtime.
Continuous Improvement: Identify bottlenecks and lead lean manufacturing or "Six Sigma" projects to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
Qualifications & Skills
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field is typically required.
Experience: 5+ years of experience in manufacturing plant management or a supervisory role.
Languages: Full bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (written and verbal) is essential for effectively managing the local workforce and reporting to corporate.
Leadership: Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to motivate teams and foster a culture of accountability.
Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of production tools, software (ERP/ADP), and manufacturing processes specific to industrial fabrics.
Problem-Solving: Adept at analyzing production data to choose the best solutions for operational challenges.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
Reliable attendance and the ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced industrial environment.
Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and occasionally stand or walk the production floor.
Must be able to manipulate materials and lift up to 30–50 lbs when necessary.
Company DescriptionAt i2k Defense, you’ll join a veteran-owned industry leader with over 25 years of American manufacturing expertise. By working at our new Fajardo facility, you will craft life-saving innovations, including high-tech military decoys and mission-ready shelters used by global defense forces.Job Summary
The RF/Hot Air Welder is responsible for fusing thermoplastic materials (PVC, Urethane, Vinyl) using Radio Frequency (RF) and Hot Air welding equipment. This role creates airtight and watertight seals essential for defense and amusement inflatable products, ensuring structural integrity through molecular bonding rather than traditional stitching or adhesives.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Machine Operation: Setup and operate RF generators and Hot Air welding machines to produce clean, high-strength seals in industrial fabrics.Material Preparation: Measure, cut, and align fabric sections according to technical drawings and blueprints.Parameter Management: Adjust machine settings—including power output, dwell time, and air pressure—based on material thickness and type (PVC vs. Polyurethane).Quality Assurance: Perform in-process verification, monitoring for material alignment and signs of overheating to ensure seals meet airtight/watertight specifications.Tooling Maintenance: Assist in the setup of custom-shaped electrodes (dies) and perform daily maintenance on welding stations.Safety Compliance: Adhere to all safety protocols, including the use of PPE and proper handling of high-frequency electromagnetic equipment.Qualifications & Experience
Experience: 1–2 years of experience in industrial fabric welding (RF/Dielectric or Hot Air/Wedge) is preferred.Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED).Technical Skills: Ability to read engineering drawings and use precision measuring instruments (calipers, rules).Familiarity: Knowledge of thermoplastic properties and the bonding requirements for airtight inflatables.Physical Requirements & Work Environment
Stamina: Ability to stand or walk for prolonged periods and work in an industrial environment that may be loud or warm.Manual Dexterity: Strong hand-eye coordination for precise material positioning and machine activation.Strength: Occasionally lift and move heavy fabric sections weighing up to 50–70 lbs, often as part of a teamed partner operation.Positioning: Ability to work in awkward positions, including bending, stooping, or reaching, to manage large-scale inflatable components.Company DescriptionAt i2k Defense, you’ll join a veteran-owned industry leader with over 25 years of American manufacturing expertise. By working at our new Fajardo facility, you will craft life-saving innovations, including high-tech military decoys and mission-ready shelters used by global defense forces.Job Summary
The Industrial Sewer is responsible for operating high-speed commercial sewing machines to assemble, join, and reinforce heavy-duty materials (including vinyl, synthetic fabrics, and canvas) for the production of inflatable defense and amusement products. This role requires high precision, technical expertise in material handling, and a strong commitment to production safety and quality.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Machine Operation: Set up and operate a variety of industrial sewing machines, including single-needle, double-needle, and walking-foot machines.Assembly: Join and reinforce sections of heavy material using straight stitching, hemming, and overcasting techniques according to specific work orders.Technical Reading: Read and interpret patterns, blueprints, and technical diagrams to ensure precise assembly of inflatable components.Quality Control: Inspect finished products for defects such as uneven seams, missed stitches, or thread breaks; perform repairs as necessary.Machine Maintenance: Perform basic daily maintenance, including threading needles, adjusting tension, oiling parts, and identifying mechanical issues for repair.Material Handling: Measure and cut materials (vinyl, zippers, Velcro) to required size and shape using manual or automatic cutting tools.Qualifications & Experience
Experience: Minimum of 1–2 years of experience operating industrial sewing machines, preferably in a manufacturing or heavy-duty vinyl setting.Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) is generally required.Technical Skills: Expert knowledge of various stitch types, fabric properties, and industrial sewing attachments.Language: Ability to understand technical instructions and safety protocols communicated in English or Spanish.Physical Requirements & Work Environment
Physical Stamina: Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during an 8-hour shift.Coordination: Excellent manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination for precise machine control and material manipulation.Vision: Strong near-vision acuity to handle detailed stitching and identify small material defects.Lifting: Must be able to lift and move material rolls or sections weighing up to 50 lbs regularly.Environment: Exposure to hazardous machinery, loud noise levels, and various synthetic material odors.Company DescriptionAt i2k Defense, you’ll join a veteran-owned industry leader with over 25 years of American manufacturing expertise. By working at our new Fajardo facility, you will craft life-saving innovations, including high-tech military decoys and mission-ready shelters used by global defense forces.