Assembly Production Manager in Valencia, California at ITT Aerospace Controls LLC

The Assembly Production Manager is responsible for leading and managing all assembly operations within the Switches and Valves Departments to ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant production of aerospace components. This role oversees daily manufacturing activities, production planning, quality performance, employee development, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring adherence to aerospace industry standards, customer requirements, and company objectives.

The Assembly Manager partners closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production Planning, and Human Resources to achieve operational excellence, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction.

Production Management

• Direct and oversee daily assembly operations for the Switches and Valves manufacturing departments.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining quality, safety, and cost targets.
• Monitor production performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency.
• Coordinate manpower, materials, equipment, and resources to meet customer delivery requirements.
• Review production metrics and develop action plans to achieve operational goals.

Leadership and Employee Development

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, leads, and assembly personnel.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback and development opportunities.
• Support workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, training, and succession planning efforts.
• Ensure employees are properly trained and qualified in assembly processes and work instructions.

Quality and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with AS9100, FAA, customer-specific requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to address nonconformances, corrective actions, and root cause investigations.
• Promote a quality-first culture focused on defect prevention and continuous improvement.
• Ensure manufacturing documentation, work instructions, and process controls are properly maintained and followed.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and process improvement initiatives.
• Analyze production data and implement improvements that enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency.
• Utilize key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor department performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead projects focused on waste reduction, cycle time improvements, and cost savings.

Safety and Environmental Compliance

• Promote and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with OSHA and company safety requirements.
• Conduct regular safety observations and support corrective actions to eliminate hazards.
• Ensure employees follow all safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Participate in incident investigations and implement preventive measures.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Collaborate with Engineering on new product introductions, process improvements, and manufacturing support.
• Work with Supply Chain and Planning teams to resolve material shortages and scheduling challenges.
• Support capacity planning and strategic initiatives to meet business growth objectives.
• Provide regular updates to leadership regarding departmental performance, risks, and improvement opportunities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Production Efficiency and Throughput
• First Pass Yield (FPY)
• Scrap and Rework Reduction
• Labor Productivity
• Safety Performance
• Employee Engagement and Retention
• Corrective Action Closure and Quality Objectives

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business Management, Operations Management, or related field preferred OR equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of manufacturing experience in an aerospace, defense, or highly regulated environment.
• Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience managing manufacturing or assembly operations.
• Experience managing multiple production lines or departments preferred.
• Strong understanding of aerospace assembly processes, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of AS9100 quality systems and aerospace manufacturing practices.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to analyze production metrics and drive operational improvements.