Production Manager
The Production Manager oversees daily manufacturing operations for assigned product lines at the Carson facility, ensuring safe, efficient, high‑quality production that meets customer, regulatory, and organizational requirements. This role provides leadership, direction, and coordination across cross‑functional teams to achieve operational goals, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and continuous improvement.
Who are we?
Founded in 1849, Ducommun is the oldest company in California. Starting as a hardware supply store during the California Gold Rush and eventually assisted in the birth of the aerospace industry in Southern California by providing aircraft aluminum to early aerospace pioneers like Lindbergh, Douglas and Lockheed.
Today Ducommun is a global provider of innovative manufacturing solutions for customers in the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for commercial aircraft platforms, mission-critical military and space programs, and sophisticated industrial applications.
Our Performance Center in Carson, CA is the Engineered Products Group site for our Human Machine Interface, Motion Control Device, and Radio Frequency (RF) product lines.
Job Summary
- Lead and manage production teams to meet established schedules, output goals, and customer requirements.
- Coordinate manufacturing activities across shifts and departments to ensure continuity, efficiency, and compliance with work instructions.
- Maintain and enforce manufacturing quality standards and ensure all personnel follow AS9100/ISO 9001, engineering specifications, and special process controls.
- Partner with Planning/Scheduling to optimize material flow, WIP management, and on‑time delivery performance.
- Implement Lean, Six Sigma, 6S, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve productivity, and improve margins.
- Monitor production KPIs, conduct root‑cause analysis on under‑performance, and drive corrective actions.
- Ensure production personnel receive required departmental and safety training per corporate procedure DT-QP-HR-003-1H Human Resources.
- Support cross-functional communication between Engineering, Quality, Planning, HR, and Supply Chain to resolve production barriers.
- Review staffing needs, participate in hiring decisions, and develop operators, leads, and supervisors using competency matrices and performance reviews.
- Maintain a safe work environment and enforce proper use of PPE and safe work practices.
- Ensure accurate documentation of production work, including travelers, routing, special processes, inspection records, and departmental reporting.
- Support audits (internal, customer, regulatory) and ensure timely closure of corrective actions.
- Escalate operational gaps timely and work collaboratively with leadership
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to lead production teams in a fast‑paced aerospace or electromechanical manufacturing environment.
- Strong production line flow understanding, operational acumen, and hands‑on manufacturing leadership.
- Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing tools, continuous improvement methods, waste reduction, and process efficiency tools (Lean, DMAIC, Kaizen, 6S).
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross‑functional partners.
- Proficiency with MRP/ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, travelers, process instructions, and technical specifications.
- Must be safety‑oriented and able to enforce compliance with PPE, hazardous waste handling, and production safety protocols
Required Experience and Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or similar field preferred; MBA a plus.
- Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience in aerospace, electromechanical assembly, or similar regulated production environment.
- Experience working cross‑functionally in a matrix organization.
- Prior leadership experience overseeing production teams is strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR compliance, and aerospace documentation requirements.
Base Compensation: USD 100,000.00 - 120,000.00 Paid Salaried
Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled
23301 S. Wilmington Ave
Carson, California, 90745
United States