Production Manager 1

General

The Production Manager at Tavis Corporation is responsible for managing production department personnel, supporting supervisors, removing obstacles to production flow, and ensuring that parts, sub-assemblies and finished products are manufactured in accordance with company quality, safety, workmanship and delivery requirements.

About the Role

Tavis Corporation is an aerospace manufacturing company founded in 1969. Located in the Sierra Foothills, we offer a peaceful campus setting near Yosemite National Park. We supply highly accurate, rugged and reliable pressure transducers for various aerospace industries, including satellite, launch vehicle, spacecraft, and aircraft.

Prime Responsibilities

• Manage and direct the manufacture of parts, sub-assemblies and finished products.
• Manage department personnel involved with assembly, machining and production test.
• Execute the approved production schedule and ensure production personnel understand current priorities, delivery requirements and workmanship expectations.
• Maintain accurate visibility of work-in-process status, production progress, labor constraints, production blockers and schedule risks.
• Communicate production status, delays, constraints, recovery efforts and deviations to the President, Planning Department, other managers, project engineers, contracts administrators and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Work with production supervisors and experienced personnel to identify and remove obstacles that affect throughput, quality, efficiency or on-time completion.
• Develop, track and react to Key Process Indicators on critical aspects of the manufacturing system.
• Utilize ERP software capabilities to manage and track production activities, work order status, labor activity and production progress.
• Work with Engineering and Process Control departments to establish manufacturing methods and processes, and prepare appropriate procedures to document those processes; maintain awareness and understanding of each.
• Facilitate process improvements by working with supervisors, operators, technicians, engineers, quality personnel and other subject matter experts to improve production flow, workmanship, capability, capacity and efficiency.
• Ensure that Production employees have adequate written directions to perform their assignments in an efficient and satisfactory manner.
• Ensure workmanship of the highest quality for critical aerospace applications, including human-rated space flight.
• Enforce company policies, ensure that Production employees follow procedures, and support safe and orderly manufacturing operations.
• Provide for adequate training of department employees.
• Actively participate in efforts for improvement, corrective actions and failures.
• Direct efforts to improve productivity and efficiency in the manufacturing activities.
• Work closely with the Quality Department to ensure proper and efficient coordination of in-process inspections, acceptance testing, rework resolution and shipment readiness.
• Support the development and implementation of improved work methods, better procedures, training programs, tooling, equipment, fixtures and production support systems.
• Evaluate production capacity, capability, staffing, equipment, workflow and process limitations, and recommend changes necessary to improve production performance.
• Perform employee evaluations and prepare reviews of employee performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 3 years comprehensive experience in a production, manufacturing or technical management role.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent proficiency in writing and communicating using the English language.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite software, including Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret specifications, engineering drawings, verification requirements, work instructions and production documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, production personnel, managers, engineers, quality personnel and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems, remove production blockers, support experienced personnel, and implement improvements in a practical and collaborative manner.
• Capable of physical requirements of desk/office/computer work; some walking about and using test or assembly equipment on light-duty manufacturing floor; minimal/lightweight lifting.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Desired Qualifications

• BS/BA degree from an accredited institution, preferably in an engineering, technical or management field, or equivalent experience.
• Management experience in an ISO 9000 / AS 9100 quality system work environment.
• Previous product experience with low-volume, precision, high-tech assemblies.
• Knowledge and experience in 5S/Lean Manufacturing methodologies or similar continuous improvement systems.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning software systems.
• Experience leading experienced production personnel through process improvements, equipment changes, workflow changes or production system improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to increase manufacturing capacity and capability while maintaining quality, safety, workmanship and employee engagement.