Industry: Aerospace, Defence, Military Manufacturing
Our client is a leading Canadian manufacturer serving the aerospace and defence industries. We are seeking an experienced Production Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations while ensuring compliance with stringent quality, security, and regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will lead production teams, drive operational excellence, and ensure products are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
Due to the sensitive nature of the work, this position requires the successful candidate to be a Canadian Citizen who is eligible to obtain and maintain Controlled Goods Program (CGP) registration and government security clearance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring production schedules are achieved safely, efficiently, and on time.
- Manage supervisors, team leaders, and production personnel across multiple shifts.
- Develop production plans that maximize capacity, efficiency, and customer delivery performance.
- Monitor production metrics including productivity, quality, labour efficiency, scrap, downtime, and on-time delivery.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and 5S methodologies.
- Ensure compliance with aerospace quality standards, customer specifications, and internal operating procedures.
- Collaborate closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, and Maintenance departments.
- Ensure all manufacturing documentation and production records are accurate and maintained.
- Manage production budgets, labour planning, overtime, and departmental expenditures.
- Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Foster a culture focused on safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Support new product introductions and production transfers.
- Ensure compliance with all Controlled Goods Program (CGP), export control, ITAR, and security requirements.
- Participate in customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline preferred.
- Minimum 7–10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
- At least 5 years managing production teams in aerospace, defence, military, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
- Excellent leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Experience
- Aerospace manufacturing
- Defence or military manufacturing
- Precision machining
- Electronics assembly
- Electro-mechanical manufacturing
- ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality systems
- Continuous Improvement and Lean implementation
Security & Regulatory Requirements
This position requires:
- Canadian Citizenship (Mandatory)
- Eligibility to register under Canada's Controlled Goods Program (CGP)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Canadian Government Security Clearance
- Ability to comply with all Controlled Goods, export control, and security regulations
- Ability to work with sensitive defence and aerospace technologies
Skills & Competencies
- Leadership and people management
- Strategic planning
- Production scheduling
- Capacity planning
- Continuous improvement
- Quality management
- Health & Safety leadership
- Budget management
- Conflict resolution
- KPI development and reporting
- Lean Manufacturing
- Root Cause Analysis
- Team development
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Performance bonus
- Comprehensive health and dental benefits
- RRSP matching program
- Paid vacation
- Professional development opportunities
- Career advancement within a growing aerospace and defence organization
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from qualified candidates. Due to federal security regulations and the Controlled Goods Program, only Canadian Citizens who are eligible to meet the security requirements will be considered for this position.
