Production Manager (ITAR Controlled Goods – Aerospace & Defence)

Industry: Aerospace Defence Military Manufacturing

Position Summary

Our client is a leading Canadian manufacturer serving the aerospace and defence industries. We are seeking an experienced Production Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations while ensuring compliance with stringent quality security and regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will lead production teams drive operational excellence and ensure products are delivered safely on time and within budget.

Due to the sensitive nature of the work this position requires the successful candidate to be a Canadian Citizen who is eligible to obtain and maintain Controlled Goods Program (CGP) registration and government security clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day manufacturing operations ensuring production schedules are achieved safely efficiently and on time.
• Manage supervisors team leaders and production personnel across multiple shifts.
• Develop production plans that maximize capacity efficiency and customer delivery performance.
• Monitor production metrics including productivity quality labour efficiency scrap downtime and on-time delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing Six Sigma Kaizen and 5S methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace quality standards customer specifications and internal operating procedures.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering Quality Supply Chain Planning and Maintenance departments.
• Ensure all manufacturing documentation and production records are accurate and maintained.
• Manage production budgets labour planning overtime and departmental expenditures.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Foster a culture focused on safety accountability teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Support new product introductions and production transfers.
• Ensure compliance with all Controlled Goods Program (CGP) export control ITAR and security requirements.
• Participate in customer regulatory and third-party audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering Manufacturing Operations Management or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Minimum 710 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• At least 5 years managing production teams in aerospace defence military or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Excellent leadership coaching and employee development skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Experience

• Aerospace manufacturing
• Defence or military manufacturing
• Precision machining
• Electronics assembly
• Electro-mechanical manufacturing
• ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality systems
• Continuous Improvement and Lean implementation

Security & Regulatory Requirements

This position requires:

• Canadian Citizenship (Mandatory)
• Eligibility to register under Canadas Controlled Goods Program (CGP)
• Ability to obtain and maintain Canadian Government Security Clearance
• Ability to comply with all Controlled Goods export control and security regulations
• Ability to work with sensitive defence and aerospace technologies

Skills & Competencies

• Leadership and people management
• Strategic planning
• Production scheduling
• Capacity planning
• Continuous improvement
• Quality management
• Health & Safety leadership
• Budget management
• Conflict resolution
• KPI development and reporting
• Lean Manufacturing
• Root Cause Analysis
• Team development

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Performance bonus
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits
• RRSP matching program
• Paid vacation
• Professional development opportunities
• Career advancement within a growing aerospace and defence organization

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from qualified candidates. Due to federal security regulations and the Controlled Goods Program only Canadian Citizens who are eligible to meet the security requirements will be considered for this position.