Director of Manufacturing

Advanced-Ground-Systems-Engineering; Santa Fe Springs (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Vision insurance

Job summary

Advanced-Ground-Systems-Engineering is seeking a Director of Manufacturing to lead our fabrication operations in Santa Fe Springs, CA. The role requires a minimum of 10 years of hands-on metals manufacturing leadership and a track record of driving operational excellence.

The director will oversee fabrication processes, ensure product quality, and optimize production efficiency while coordinating with engineering, procurement, and logistics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 10+ years in metals/manufacturing leadership.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality control practices.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Excellent communication skills with senior management.
• Experience with welding and machining in steel/aluminum fabrication.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction to the manufacturing team and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop strategies to optimize productivity, reduce costs and improve efficiency.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for manufacturing performance.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and logistics to coordinate schedules.
• Ensure ISO 9001 compliance and implement quality control measures.
• Lead lean manufacturing initiatives and drive waste reduction.
• Maintain ERP data integrity on the shop floor and conduct audits.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing

ERP / MRP

CAD viewing

Lean manufacturing

Quality systems

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

CAD

ERP software

Job description

Description

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Manufacturing to lead our fabrication operations. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of hands‑on experience in directing metals manufacturing personnel, with a strong background in overseeing fabrication processes. The Director of Manufacturing will play a critical role in driving operational excellence, ensuring product quality, and optimizing production efficiency.

Work Location & Travel Requirements

This is a fully onsite position based at the company’s facility. Regular in‑person collaboration with engineering, procurement, and logistics, to coordinate production schedules and prioritize workload is required to support daily activities, audits, investigations, and manufacturing operations.

Relocation assistance or sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must be able to reliably commute to the worksite.

This role may include up to 5% of national and international travel.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to the manufacturing team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.


• Develop and implement manufacturing strategies to optimize productivity, minimize costs, and enhance overall operational efficiency.


• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track manufacturing performance and drive process improvements.


• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including engineering, procurement, and logistics, to coordinate production schedules and prioritize workload.


• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 standards and other relevant regulatory requirements, implementing quality control measures to maintain product integrity and consistency.


• Lead and support lean manufacturing initiatives, implementing best practices and innovative solutions to enhance operational performance.


• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging employee involvement in identifying opportunities for process optimization and waste reduction.


• Ensures ERP system data integrity (Inputs/Outputs) at shop floor level.


• Implement and maintain robust quality assurance processes, conducting regular audits and inspections to identify areas for improvement and mitigate risks.


• All other duties as assigned by management.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors’ Degree or equivalent combination of education & experience.


• Minimum ten (10) years of related experience.


• Proven track record of successfully leading and developing manufacturing teams to achieve operational excellence.


• Computer proficient. MRP experience, skilled in Microsoft Office applications and ability to view CAD files.


• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross‑functional teams and senior management.


• Experience with steel and aluminum fabrication including welding and machining.


• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.


• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a strategic mindset and a commitment to driving continuous improvement. Ability to write reports and correspondence.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing this job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Employees work under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet to moderate. However, in certain assignments, an employee may work near moving equipment and be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, biological hazards, airborne fumes, outdoor weather conditions, and loud, prolonged noise.

Pay: $200,000.00 - $240,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)


• 401(k) matching


• Dental insurance


• Flexible spending account


• Health insurance


• Life insurance


• Paid time off


• Tuition reimbursement


• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 (Required)

Work Location: In person