Production Manager – Aerospace Surface Finishing Operations
$100,000–$120,000 + Performance Bonus | Full-Time | Greater New Haven Area, CT
Lead a critical aerospace manufacturing department responsible for specialized surface treatment processes, driving operational excellence, quality, and continuous improvement while managing a high-performing production team.
- Own an Entire Manufacturing Department: Lead day-to-day operations for a critical aerospace surface finishing operation.
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High Visibility Leadership: Report directly to executive leadership and play a key role in company growth.
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Lead from the Floor: This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll work alongside your team to solve problems and improve operations.
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Drive Operational Excellence: Champion Lean Manufacturing, process improvements, and equipment reliability.
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Industry-Leading Quality: Help maintain rigorous aerospace quality standards, including customer and NADCAP requirements.
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Growth Opportunity: Join an established aerospace manufacturer with exciting expansion plans.
- Lead the daily operations of a specialized aerospace surface finishing department.
- Supervise production personnel and departmental supervisors.
- Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure customer commitments are achieved through effective production planning and execution.
- Monitor production schedules, workflow, and departmental performance.
- Ensure quality standards and lead-time objectives are consistently achieved.
- Oversee tooling, fixturing, and process readiness for incoming work.
- Develop manufacturing methods for new components and production requirements.
- Identify process improvements that increase throughput, quality, and efficiency.
- Improve workflow, equipment utilization, and overall department performance.
- Reduce waste while supporting long-term operational scalability.
- Maintain compliance with aerospace quality requirements, including customer specifications and NADCAP standards.
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Support internal and external quality audits.
- Ensure all safety and environmental requirements are consistently followed.
- Monitor equipment performance and coordinate preventative maintenance activities.
- Identify machinery requiring repair or replacement.
- Manage departmental materials, tooling, and production supplies.
- Hire, train, mentor, and develop department personnel.
- Ensure employees receive proper technical and safety training.
- Promote employee engagement and maintain a positive team culture.
- Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, Sales, Customer Service, and Operations leadership.
- Support customer requirements while balancing production priorities and operational efficiency.
- 10+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, metal finishing, surface treatment, coating operations, or another precision manufacturing environment involving specialized production processes.
- Proven manufacturing leadership experience managing production teams.
- Strong Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement background.
- Experience leading quality-driven manufacturing operations.
- Excellent communication, coaching, and organizational skills.
- Ability to lead from the production floor in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Aerospace surface finishing, metal finishing, coating, plating, anodizing, painting, or sealing operations.
- Experience working under NADCAP or similar aerospace quality systems.
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ERP system experience.
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, or Operations Management.
- Spanish language skills.
