What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Manager position at Arke?
Director of Manufacturing
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Manufacturing to lead and optimize manufacturing operations for a growing defense manufacturing organization in Texas. This role is responsible for overseeing production, quality, safety, workforce development, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational excellence across manufacturing facilities. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in highly regulated manufacturing environments, strong leadership capabilities, and a proven track record of driving operational performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are achieved.
- Develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with company growth objectives and customer requirements.
- Oversee production planning, capacity management, and resource allocation.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence methodologies.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable defense industry regulations, quality standards, and government contract requirements.
- Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Program Management, and Finance teams to support new product introductions and production scaling.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to productivity, quality, efficiency, and safety.
- Lead, mentor, and develop manufacturing managers, supervisors, and production teams.
- Manage manufacturing budgets, capital expenditure planning, and operational cost reduction initiatives.
- Support customer audits, regulatory inspections, and supplier qualification activities.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related technical field.
- 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including senior management responsibility.
- Experience within defense, aerospace, military systems, precision machining, electronics manufacturing, or other highly regulated industries.
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and operational excellence principles.
- Experience managing large-scale production operations and cross-functional teams.
- Strong understanding of quality management systems and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances, if applicable.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
- Experience with Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and government compliance requirements.
- Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, DFARS, and related defense industry standards.
- Experience supporting manufacturing growth, facility expansion, or operational transformation initiatives.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive executive-level salary
- Annual performance bonus
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Relocation assistance (if applicable)
- Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to play a critical leadership role in a mission-driven organization supporting national defense and security programs. The Director of Manufacturing will have significant influence on operational strategy, organizational growth, and the successful delivery of products that support critical defense initiatives.