Director Of Manufacturing

The Director of Manufacturing is a senior executive responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial performance of multiple manufacturing plants producing defense-related systems, subsystems, and complex industrial products.This role ensures operational excellence, scalability, regulatory compliance, and delivery performance across a diversified product portfolio in highly regulated defense and aerospace environments.The position combines strong executive leadership, deep manufacturing expertise, and hands-on operational governance to ensure safe, compliant, cost-effective, and resilient production across all sites.Key ResponsibilitiesManufacturing Strategy & Multi-Plant GovernanceDefine and deploy the global manufacturing strategy aligned with corporate objectives and defense program requirements.Lead and coordinate operations across multiple plants and product lines, ensuring standardization where appropriate and flexibility where required.Establish governance models, operating rhythms, and performance management systems across all manufacturing sites.Drive capacity planning and footprint optimization.Operational Excellence & Production ManagementEnsure achievement of safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC) targets across all plants.Lead production planning, scheduling, and execution.Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement systems (PDCA, 6M, Kaizen, Value Stream Management).Oversee production implementation, ramp-up, rate increases, and recovery plans for critical programs.Quality, Compliance & Risk ManagementEnsure full compliance with defense and aerospace standards and regulations, including AS****/EN****, customer military requirements, and applicable export control regulations (e.g., ITAR/EAR).Identify operational risks and implement mitigation and contingency plans across sites.Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with EHS regulations.Industrialization & Manufacturing Engineering InterfacePartner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure robust industrialization of new products and programs.Drive manufacturability, producibility, and standardization across plants and product families.Ensure tooling, equipment, automation, and infrastructure are aligned with current and future production needs.Support transfer of work packages between plants and countries.Financial Management & Performance ControlOwn manufacturing budgets, forecasts, and cost control for all plants.Drive productivity improvements, cost reduction initiatives, and margin enhancement.Establish and monitor KPIs related to efficiency, utilization, scrap, rework, and delivery performance.Support long-term investment planning (CAPEX) and business cases.Leadership & Talent DevelopmentLead, develop, and align Plant Managers and Manufacturing Managers.Build a strong leadership pipeline through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.Drive workforce planning, skills development, and organizational scalability.Required QualificationsEducationBachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aeronautical, or Production Engineering.MBA or Executive Education in Operations, Business, or Leadership preferred.Professional Experience20+ years of experience in manufacturing and industrial operations.Proven leadership of multi-plant and multi-product manufacturing environments.Strong background in defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.Demonstrated experience managing large operational teams and complex supply chains.Technical & Regulatory ExpertiseDeep understanding of:Aerospace and defense quality systems (AS**** / EN****).Complex production systems (low-rate initial production and serial production).Industrial KPIs and performance management.Export control and defense compliance environments.Executive-level leadership with strong operational presence (hands-on).Strategic mindset with strong execution capability.Ability to lead through complexity, pressure, and tight delivery commitments.Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.High ethical standards and commitment to compliance and safety.LanguagesFluent in English (mandatory).Additional languages are a strong asset in global operations.#J-*****-Ljbffr