Head Of Production

EDGE; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 500,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

EDGE, via its PULSE joint venture with INDRA, seeks a Head of Production to lead manufacturing operations and drive ramp‑up and execution of advanced defense system production. You will ensure excellence across Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost while building a stable, scalable manufacturing environment capable of meeting demanding customer commitments.

Responsibilities include end‑to‑end manufacturing execution, ramp‑up strategy, standard work and traceability, continuous improvement, risk

Qualifications

• Seasoned leader with 12+ years in high‑reliability manufacturing/operations.
• Experience in defense or aerospace environments preferred.
• Familiarity with AS9100 Rev D and quality/CI tools.

Responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end manufacturing execution (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost) on shop floor.
• Define and execute ramp‑up strategy including capacity and staffing.
• Maintain standard work, instructions, traceability and change control.
• Drive continuous improvement to increase stability and productivity.
• Lead risk prevention methods (FMEA/PFMEA) and 8D/QC Story resolution.
• Coordinate with Planning & Supply to protect commitments and stability.
• Support TPM/PM actions with maintenance for ramp‑up.
• Represent Production in customer/OEM discussions and audits.

Skills

Leadership in manufacturing

High-mix low-volume

AS9100 Rev D

Quality tools (8D, FMEA)

APQP / DMAIC

OEM/customer interface

Job description

Job Description:

External Job Description

PULSE, the joint venture between EDGE and INDRA, is seeking a Head of Production to lead manufacturing operations and drive the successful ramp-up and execution of advanced defense system production. This role is responsible for ensuring excellence across Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost objectives while establishing a stable, scalable and high-performing manufacturing environment capable of meeting demanding customer commitments.

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