Global Head of Manufacturing

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of manufacturing delivery across contracted programs.

• Develop realistic production and recovery plans, identify material and capacity limitations, and mitigate risks to prevent missed customer commitments.

• Create a resource-constrained global production strategy that encompasses Portugal, Poole, and proposed US locations.

• Balance immediate execution with long-term requirements for capacity, staffing, equipment, suppliers, and testing.

• Collaborate with Global Demand & Delivery through the S&OP process to synchronize site capacity and production commitments with the aggregated demand forecast.

• Shape the manufacturing footprint and investment strategy, including expansions, production relocations, make-versus-buy analyses, and automation initiatives.

• Work in partnership with Engineering, Product, and Quality teams to prepare new products and significant changes for production while enhancing manufacturability.

• Establish standardized production controls for bills of materials, work instructions, configurations, inspections, testing, and traceability.

• Address critical defects and safety or readiness issues in collaboration with Quality and site leadership.

• Enhance yield, cycle time, labor productivity, and unit costs by utilizing production data and engaging directly on the factory floor.

• Tackle bottlenecks, shortages, rework, and downtime.

• Collaborate with Supply Chain to ensure material availability, supplier recovery, and alternative sourcing options.

• Develop site and functional leaders, clarify decision-making authority, enhance technician skills, and implement a consistent operational rhythm.

• Initially report to the Global CEO, with a transition of reporting expected to the EU CEO or Global COO.

⛳️ Requirements

• Proven experience in guiding complex hardware from initial builds to sustained production, with direct responsibility for delivery, output, and quality throughout the ramp-up process.

• Background in overseeing manufacturing across multiple sites or countries via site managers, including team building, leader development, and setting common standards while preserving local expertise.

• Strong judgment in manufacturing engineering and industrialization, encompassing design for manufacturability, assembly techniques, tooling, testing, configuration control, and engineering changes.

• Documented success in enhancing production flow, first-pass yield, cycle time, or cost through practical problem solving, continuous improvement, and direct factory floor engagement.

• Experience in integrating quality and safety into production, including traceability, acceptance testing, root-cause analysis, and relevant aerospace, defense, or similar quality standards.

• Solid commercial and financial acumen, with experience in assessing capacity, inventory, capital investments, automation, outsourcing, and supplier capabilities against delivery and unit economics.

• Ability to align Engineering, Product, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and commercial teams around achievable commitments, communicate risks early, and navigate challenging trade-offs.

• A hands-on and accountable leadership approach, with the ability to create effective structure in a rapidly changing organization without hindering execution.

• Familiarity with manufacturing uncrewed systems, robotics, maritime, or aerospace products, or other complex defense hardware.

• Experience in integrating acquired manufacturing operations or transferring production between sites while ensuring delivery continuity.

• Proven track record in scaling manufacturing operations across Europe and the United States.

• Experience in converting field or customer feedback into production enhancements in a fast-paced hardware environment.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying.

• Must specify if employment sponsorship from UFORCE is needed.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization.

• Dynamic work environment with a focus on innovation and teamwork.

• Engaging company culture that values employee contributions and well-being.