Discipline Description The Production Manager will be responsible for end-to-end manufacturing operations for aircraft evacuation slides and associated evacuation systems, ensuring safe, compliant, efficient, and on-time production in accordance with aerospace quality standards, customer requirements, and business objectives. The role will lead production teams across multiple manufacturing processes, drive Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Productivity (SQDCP) performance, and continuously improve manufacturing processes through Lean, automation, digital manufacturing and data-driven problem solving.
•Lead end-to-end manufacturing operations for aircraft evacuation slides and associated evacuation systems, ensuring safe, compliant, efficient and on-time production. •Own SQDCP performance across the production organization, including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity, OTD, schedule adherence, OEE, FPY, cycle time and WIP. •Execute production plans and capacity requirements through effective manpower deployment, line balancing, resource planning and close coordination with Planning, Supply Chain and Program Management. •Ensure aerospace quality and regulatory compliance through strict adherence to approved work instructions, engineering requirements, process specifications, configuration control, product traceability and customer requirements. •Manage evacuation-slide manufacturing processes, including fabric cutting and preparation, sewing/assembly, heat sealing/RF welding, adhesive bonding, coating/painting, curing, inflation-system assembly, leak/pressure testing, final inspection, functional testing and packing, as applicable. •Ensure effective control of special and critical processes, including qualified personnel, approved equipment, process validation/qualification, calibration and compliance with applicable aerospace standards. •Lead Quality improvement and problem resolution, including non-conformance management, customer complaints, escapes, root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions using structured methodologies such as 8D, A3, DMAIC and 5-Why. •Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement through standard work, 5S, visual management, waste elimination, value-stream improvement, line balancing, productivity improvement and cycle-time reduction. •Support automation and digital manufacturing initiatives, including opportunities for robotics, MES, RFID, production data capture, real-time dashboards and other technologies that improve productivity, quality, traceability and operational visibility. •Develop and lead a high-performing production organization by building technical capability, skill matrices, cross-training, certification, employee engagement, accountability and strong shop-floor leadership. •Own manufacturing safety and EHS performance, ensuring compliance with safety requirements, risk assessments, machine safety, ergonomics, safe operating practices and timely closure of EHS actions. •Ensure equipment and manufacturing infrastructure readiness by partnering with Engineering and Maintenance on equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, capacity expansion, commissioning, process qualification and capital projects. •Provide cross-functional leadership by working closely with Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Planning, Procurement, Finance, HR, EHS and Program Management on NPI, product transfers, industrialization, process changes and operational priorities. •Support strategic manufacturing objectives and business growth through capacity planning, cost reduction, manufacturing footprint optimization, technology deployment and development of a culture focused on customer satisfaction, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
