Aerospace Production Lead: Lean & Quality Focus

Ducommun Incorporated; Carson (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ducommun Incorporated's Carson, CA facility seeks a Production Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations across product lines, ensuring safe, efficient, high-quality output that meets regulatory and customer requirements.

Responsibilities include coordinating shifts, enforcing AS9100/ISO 9001, improving material flow, and driving continuous improvement with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen. 5+ years in aerospace/manufacturing leadership preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or similar field preferred; MBA a plus.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience in aerospace, electromechanical assembly, or similar regulated production environment.
• Experience working cross‑functionally in a matrix organization.
• Prior leadership experience overseeing production teams is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR compliance, and aerospace documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage production teams to meet established schedules, output goals, and customer requirements.
• Coordinate manufacturing activities across shifts and departments to ensure continuity, efficiency, and compliance with work instructions.
• Maintain and enforce manufacturing quality standards and ensure all personnel follow AS9100/ISO 9001, engineering specifications, and special process controls.
• Partner with Planning/Scheduling to optimize material flow, WIP management, and on-time delivery performance.
• Implement Lean, Six Sigma, 6S, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve productivity, and improve margins.
• Monitor production KPIs, conduct root-cause analysis on under-performance, and drive corrective actions.
• Ensure production personnel receive required departmental and safety training per corporate procedure DT‑QP‑HR‑003‑1H Human Resources.
• Support cross-functional communication between Engineering, Quality, Planning, HR, and Supply Chain to resolve production barriers.
• Review staffing needs, participate in hiring decisions, and develop operators, leads, and supervisors using competency matrices and performance reviews.
• Maintain a safe work environment and enforce proper use of PPE and safe work practices.
• Ensure accurate documentation of production work, including travelers, routing, special processes, inspection records, and departmental reporting.
• Support audits (internal, customer, regulatory) and ensure timely closure of corrective actions.

Skills

Production leadership

Lean manufacturing

MRP/ERP systems

Interpersonal communication

Safety & compliance

Reading technical drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Operations/Engineering

MBA preferred

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Ducommun Incorporated's Carson, CA facility seeks a Production Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations across product lines, ensuring safe, efficient, high-quality output that meets regulatory and customer requirements.

Responsibilities include coordinating shifts, enforcing AS9100/ISO 9001, improving material flow, and driving continuous improvement with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen. 5+ years in aerospace/manufacturing leadership preferred.