Head of Production

External Job Description

Responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end manufacturing execution (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost), driving clear KPIs, tier routines and escalation governance on the shop floor
• Define and execute the production ramp‑up strategy (capacity model, takt/line balance, staffing/shift model) aligned with industrialization milestones and readiness criteria
• Ensure standard work, work instructions, traceability and configuration control remain robust and audit‑ready after changes
• Drive continuous improvement to increase stability and productivity (waste elimination, 5S, flow optimization, bottleneck removal), linking actions to measurable KPI impact
• Deploy and sustain structured problem solving (8D/QC Story) and risk prevention methods (FMEA/PFMEA), ensuring corrective actions are closed and recurrence is prevented
• Lead the execution interface with Planning & Supply (S&OP, schedule adherence, constraints/shortages) to protect customer commitments and plan stability
• Partner with Quality, Engineering and Maintenance to stabilize processes and equipment through TPM/PM actions, containment and process validation support during ramp‑up
• Represent Production in customer/OEM discussions, audit preparation and reviews when required, ensuring operational readiness and compliant execution

Requirements

• 12+ years in manufacturing/operations leadership roles in high‑reliability environments (defense/aerospace, electronics or similar)
• Experience in the UAE is preferred, ideally supporting factory start‑ups and new production line launches
• Track record in high‑mix, low‑volume manufacturing; defense industry exposure highly valued
• Familiarity with AS9100 Rev D principles and structured quality/CI tools (8D, QC Story, FMEA/PFMEA, Lean Manufacturing, TPM)
• Automotive/aeronautical exposure using APQP and/or DMAIC methodologies is appreciated
• Experience interfacing with OEM customers and supporting audits/reviews in regulated or customer‑controlled environments is a plus