Production Manager

VAERO; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VAERO in Jacksonville, FL, seeks an experienced Production Manager to lead and optimize our aerospace manufacturing operations. You will oversee procurement, planning, and production of sheet metal, extruded, machined, and vended structural components for end-use in aerospace programs.

You will drive operational excellence, ensure compliance with AS9100/ISO standards, and foster safety, quality, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; aerospace experience preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in aerospace manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of procurement, materials planning, and production control.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and data-driven decision making.
• AS9100/ISO quality standards knowledge and aerospace compliance.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) preferred.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-mix environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor production supervisors, planners, and procurement staff.
• Oversee fabrication and assembly of aerospace structural components.
• Manage capacity planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive ERP utilization and Kanban processes for planning.
• Track key metrics and drive continuous improvement via Lean Six Sigma.

Skills

Leadership

Procurement

ERP/MRP

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional

Data-driven

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/ops

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Classification: Salary, Exempt
Shift:Business Hours M-F 8AM-5PM, This schedule may follow 7AM-3:30PM due to business needs

The Production Manager will lead and oversee manufacturing operations. This role carries direct responsibility for procurement, planning, and production, ensuring efficient execution of fabrication and assembly of sheet metal, extruded, machined and vended structural components for end-use in the aerospace industry. The Production Manager will drive operational excellence, maintain compliance with aerospace quality standards, and foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and teamwork.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Management
  • Direct, mentor, and develop production supervisors, planners, and procurement staff.
  • Establish clear goals, KPIs, and accountability across production departments.
  • Foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Production Operations
  • Oversee fabrication and assembly of structural components for aerospace programs.
  • Manage capacity planning, workflow scheduling, and resource allocation to meet on-time delivery commitments.
  • Ensure compliance with AS9100, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Procurement
  • Oversee all purchasing activities for materials, tooling, and subcontracted services.
  • Develop and manage supplier relationships to ensure cost, quality, and delivery objectives are achieved.
  • Monitor material availability and lead times to avoid production delays
• Planning & Scheduling
  • Direct the creation and execution of production schedules, capacity models, and material requirements plans.
  • Collaborate with engineering, quality, and program management to align schedules with customer demands.
  • Drive ERP system utilization and effective Kanban processes for accurate planning and reporting.
• Performance & Continuous Improvement
  • Track and report on key metrics including safety, quality, on-time delivery, and efficiency.
  • Monitor and control labor hours to meet company targets.
  • Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to improve operational performance.
  • Implement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste and optimize throughput.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and aerospace manufacturing, leadership experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in aerospace manufacturing, preferably in sheet metal and structural assemblies.
• Strong knowledge of procurement, materials planning, and production control.
• Demonstrated experience with ERP/MRP systems and data-driven decision making.
• Deep understanding of AS9100/ISO quality standards and aerospace compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex production environments.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) strongly preferred.
• Strategic and tactical leadership skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities across all levels of the organization.
• Results-oriented with a track record of meeting customer and business objectives.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-mix aerospace environment.