Position Scope We are seeking candidates for the position of
Manufacturing Manager - First Line Supervisor at our
Indianapolis site. This position provides front-line leadership to a team supporting the manufacture, assembly, depot repair, and/or sustainment of military-grade and aerospace products in a highly regulated environment.
The supervisor is responsible for day-to-day operations, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people leadership within their assigned area. The work must comply with applicable
Aerospace Quality Standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001),
U.S. Government and customer requirements, and
OSHA safety standards.
- This requisition is currently focused on managing Calibration and Tool Crib Operations; however, the job description applies broadly to multiple Manufacturing Operations Supervisor roles within the organization.
ResponsibilitiesKey Responsibilities (Core for All Manufacturing Operations Supervisors)- People Leadership & Performance
- Supervise, coach, and develop hourly and/or salaried employees in the assigned work area.
- Schedule and prioritize work assignments to meet production and depot repair commitments.
- Conduct performance appraisals, provide ongoing feedback, and support employee development plans.
- Address performance issues, administer corrective/disciplinary actions when necessary, and make promotion and recognition recommendations.
- Support hiring activities by participating in interviews and making staffing recommendations.
- Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Production Planning & Execution
- Review work plans, routings, and labor hour estimates to ensure effective execution of tasks.
- Make controlled changes to work assignments, methods, or staffing to maintain schedule, quality, and cost performance.
- Ensure that daily, weekly, and monthly production goals are achieved while meeting customer and contract requirements.
- Coordinate with Production Control, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other functions to resolve constraints and issues.
- Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all work is performed in compliance with OSHA regulations, company safety policies, and customer/site requirements.
- Promote a safe work environment through regular communication, observations, and corrective actions.
- Support and enforce adherence to Foreign Object Damage (FOD) / Foreign Object Control (FOC) requirements and other critical aerospace controls.
- Maintain documentation and records to support internal, customer, and third-party audits and certifications.
- Quality & Process Control
- Ensure all tasks and deliverables meet applicable Aerospace Quality Standards and customer specifications.
- Lead implementation and documentation of new processes, methods, and rework procedures within the team.
- Maintain, modify, and implement statistical process controls (SPC) and other process monitoring tools where applicable.
- Periodically conduct process and product audits related to key functions (e.g., Material Shelf Life, FOD/FOC, calibration, tool control, ESD, etc.).
- Maintain required data and records for compliance with site certifications (e.g., AS9100, ISO).
- Continuous Improvement & Product Flow
- Analyze work content, flow, and constraints to improve throughput and reduce waste.
- Develop and maintain product flow streams and visual management tools to support efficient operations.
- Identify, lead, or support continuous improvement activities (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen events).
- Recommend and implement changes to tooling, fixtures, methods, or layout to improve safety, quality, and productivity.
- Communication & Coordination
- Share key organizational communications with the team and ensure appropriate actions are taken.
- Clearly communicate expectations, priorities, and performance metrics to employees.
- Represent the work area in cross-functional meetings and support coordination across shifts.
- Work independently with minimal supervision while aligning actions with site and program objectives.
- Perform other related duties as assigned or logically associated with the position.
- Role-Specific Focus: Calibration & Tool Crib Operations
For this opening, the Manufacturing Manager - First Line Supervisor will primarily oversee
Calibration and Tool Crib activities, including:
- Managing day-to-day operations of calibration labs and tool crib(s) supporting production and depot repair.
- Ensuring all measurement and test equipment (M&TE) and special tools are calibrated, within tolerance, and available to meet production schedules.
- Overseeing adherence to calibration procedures, intervals, and standards (e.g., ANSI/NCSL, ISO/IEC 17025 - as applicable to the site/customer).
- Implementing and maintaining robust tool control practices, including issuance, tracking, and accountability of tools and equipment.
- Coordinating with Quality, Engineering, and Production to resolve calibration discrepancies and ensure product conformance.
- Maintaining calibration and tool crib records in applicable systems (e.g., ERP, calibration management software) to support internal and external audits.
- Ensuring proper handling, storage, and shelf-life management of tools, gages, and related materials.
- Identifying opportunities to optimize tool crib layout, inventory levels, and processes to reduce downtime and increase efficiency.
QualificationsMinimum Education & Experience- Required
- High school diploma or GED.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a production, manufacturing, aerospace, or depot repair environment.
- Demonstrated experience in a leadership or lead/working lead role (minimum 2 years preferred).
- Preferred
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Management, Business, Engineering Technology, Operations, or a related field.
- Prior experience supervising:
- Calibration laboratories, tool crib/tool room operations, or
- Aerospace/defense manufacturing or depot repair operations.
Computer & Systems Skills- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, with particular emphasis on Excel (data analysis, reporting, and tracking).
- Familiarity with SAP or similar Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
- Experience with calibration management software or asset management tools is a plus for the calibration/tool crib role.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate technical concerns and requirements in a way appropriate to the audience (operators, engineers, management, auditors, customers).
- Strong people skills with the ability to:
- Handle difficult conversations professionally.
- Address performance issues constructively.
- Build engagement and teamwork in a diverse workforce.
Technical Skills- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, work instructions, specifications, and related technical documentation.
- Familiarity with aerospace/defense quality and documentation practices (e.g., travelers, work orders, nonconformance reports).
- For calibration/tool crib roles, understanding of basic metrology concepts, measurement tools, and gage usage is highly desirable.
Security Requirements- Must meet eligibility requirements to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance, if required by the program or contract.
- U.S. citizenship may be required based on contractual and security requirements.
Physical Requirements- Significant standing, walking, moving, sitting, climbing stairs, carrying, bending, reaching, and handling tools or materials as part of the daily routine.
- Ability to work in a manufacturing/industrial environment, including occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, and production equipment (with appropriate PPE).
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
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