Production Supervisor
Applied Aerospace & Defense
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Job summary
Applied Aerospace & Defense in Santa Ana, CA seeks a Production Supervisor to lead floor operations, coach teams, and drive safety, quality, and on-time delivery. You’ll partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, and Operations to solve problems and improve performance, using KPIs to target continuous improvements.
The role emphasizes hands-on leadership on the shop floor, development of people, and accountability for results in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or 5+ years of manufacturing experience if no degree.
- Minimum 3 additional years of supervisory experience in operations/industrial environments.
- Legal authorization to work in the U.S. and no Visa sponsorship.
- Experience leading production teams; machining/fabrication experience preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations on the shop floor.
- Coach, develop, motivate, and hold production employees accountable.
- Drive safety, quality, cost, and on-time delivery goals.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
About the Organization Applied Aerospace & Defense (Applied) is a premier provider of advanced design, engineering, and vertically integrated manufacturing solutions for leading and next-generation space and defense technology companies. Applied builds complex hardware for extreme operating environments and is focused on three core markets: Space and Launch Systems, Defense Aviation and Airborne Systems, and C5ISR and Precision Strike Systems. With decades of space and defense manufacturing heritage, Applied combines deep material science and IP-enabled process expertise with the ability to enable rapid prototyping, enhance new product development, and responsively scale production. Across its nationwide infrastructure of advanced manufacturing facilities, Applied continuously supports a balanced mix of next-generation technology and platform development, large scale production programs, and aftermarket sustainment for enduring platforms.
EOE Statement Applied Aerospace and Defense is an equal opportunity employer.
Santa Ana, CA | Full-Time | Exempt
Applied Aerospace & Defense is looking for a hands-on Production Supervision Manager who knows how to turn production challenges into results.
If you’re the kind of leader who enjoys being on the shop floor, developing people, solving problems, improving processes, and seeing the results of your work every day, this could be the opportunity for you.
At Applied Aerospace & Defense, we manufacture highly engineered products and complex assemblies supporting demanding aerospace, defense, and space applications.
This isn’t a desk-only management position. We need a leader who will be visible, engaged, and ready to drive Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People.
You’ll lead day-to-day manufacturing operations and help create a high-performing production environment where employees know what’s expected, have the resources to succeed, and are held accountable for results.
Lead from the floor — coach, develop, motivate, and hold production employees accountable.
Drive daily execution to meet safety, quality, cost, and on-time delivery goals.
Manage production schedules, staffing, workflow, and changing priorities.
Identify roadblocks before they become problems and take action to keep production moving.
Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, and Operations to solve problems and improve performance.
Use production data and KPIs to identify opportunities and drive measurable improvements.
Lead continuous improvement efforts that increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve quality.
Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and efficient manufacturing environment using 6S principles.
Drive visual management and ensure production status and priorities are clearly communicated.
Monitor production costs, labor performance, quality, and delivery performance.
Ensure employees are properly trained and qualified to perform their work.
Conduct performance evaluations and provide regular, meaningful coaching and feedback.
Address performance and employee relations issues appropriately and consistently.
Interview, select, train, and develop production talent.
Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, urgency, and continuous improvement.
We’re looking for someone who can balance people leadership with production execution.
Must have 3–5+ years of Aerospace manufacturing leadership experience as a Production Supervisor, Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or similar leader.
Understand how a manufacturing floor operates and what it takes to hit production commitments.
Know how to lead people — not just manage schedules.
Are comfortable having difficult conversations and holding teams accountable while maintaining positive employee relationships.
Are a natural problem-solver who takes ownership and drives solutions.
Can manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
Understand manufacturing metrics and know how to turn data into action.
Communicate effectively with employees, leadership, and cross-functional partners.
Bring a strong commitment to safety, quality, customer delivery, and operational excellence.
Lead with integrity, consistency, and professionalism.
Aerospace, defense, precision machining, or highly regulated manufacturing experience.
Experience with Epicor or another ERP/MRP system.
Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.
Experience with 5S/6S and visual management.
Experience managing KPIs for safety, quality, cost, delivery, and productivity.
At Applied Aerospace & Defense, the work we do matters.
Our teams manufacture highly engineered products and complex assemblies supporting critical aerospace, defense, and space programs. We’re proud of the work we do and the talented people who make it possible.
You’ll have the opportunity to lead a skilled manufacturing team, influence how we operate, solve meaningful production challenges, and make a visible impact on the performance of our Santa Ana operation.
If you're a manufacturing leader who likes to be where the action is, build strong teams, and turn challenges into results — we want to hear from you.
This position works in both office and manufacturing environments and requires regular presence on the production floor. The manufacturing environment may include loud noise, compressed air, operating equipment and machinery, forklift traffic, and sharp materials or tools.
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. The Company will not sponsor employment visas now or in the future for this position.
Applicants must meet applicable security requirements associated with Department of Defense work. Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, including a background investigation and drug screening.
Applied Aerospace & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Compensation will depend based on experience; 110K -150K
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college (or a high school diploma/GED with at least 5 years of experience in Manufacturing)
- Minimum 3 additional years of supervisory experience in operations/industrial environments
- Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering preferred
- Ability to work non-traditional hours including weekends as needed
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Ability to influence others and lead small teams.
- Lead and coordinate multiple initiatives of moderate scope and impact simultaneously
- Effective problem solving skills.
- Ability to effectively work across all functions (i.e., HR, finance, sourcing, production, materials, shipping/receiving, sales, contracts, EHS, etc.) within a matrix organization to achieve organizational goals/objectives
- Prior experience leading production teams within a manufacturing environment
- Prior experience in Machining and/or Fabrication/Assembly
- Experience as manufacturing process leader preferred
- Aerospace industry experience preferred
- Six Sigma / Green belt certified preferred
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, working with VSM, Visual Management and DMAIC principals
- Ability to complete manpower planning and analysis including productivity, efficiency and overtime management
Ability to effectively communicate with peers and supervisors and provide technical feedback as required. Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, company communications, and memos. Ability to write reports and simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
Ability to apply concepts of basic math techniques.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be proficient in basic computer skills.
Ability to define and solve practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical, diagram, written or verbal format. Ability to deal with problems involving several abstract and concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to stand at least 6 to 8 hours a day. Must be able to work with their hands, arms and be extremely accurate. Must be able to walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl on a regular basis. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds on a frequent basis. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds on a regular basis. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close & color vision
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving high speed machinery and mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. outside weather conditions, machine oils, metal fillings, acetone, paints, solvents, grease, cutting fluids, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock or vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time
Location Applied Aerospace & Defense, Santa Ana
Category Manufacturing
Req Number MAN-26-00032
Position Production Supervisor
Close Date
Post Internal Days 0
Number of Openings 1
Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt
Hiring Manager(s) Jacqueline Cadena
This position is currently accepting applications.
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