Role Overview:

The Head of Production will be responsible for scaling manufacturing operations while ensuring product quality, cost efficiency, delivery timelines, and operational excellence. This role requires strong leadership across multidisciplinary production environments including mechanical assembly, electronics integration, testing, and robotics system deployment.

The role also includes establishing scalable manufacturing infrastructure, including assembly line design, workstation development, assembly methodologies, and production process architecture for robotics systems manufacturing.

Additionally, the role will own vendor development and management for mechanical parts and assemblies, ensuring supplier quality, cost optimization, scalability, and on-time delivery across the manufacturing ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Production & Manufacturing Operations:

- Lead end-to-end production operations for robotic systems and subassemblies.

- Develop and execute production plans aligned with business demand and delivery schedules.

- Establish scalable manufacturing processes for low-volume and high-volume production.

- Drive production efficiency, throughput, and capacity planning.

- Ensure optimal utilization of manpower, machinery, tooling, and factory resources.

2. Manufacturing Engineering & Assembly Line Development:

- Design and establish efficient assembly layouts for robotic systems and subassemblies.

- Develop assembly stations, work instructions, tooling requirements, and ergonomic production setups.

- Define and implement scalable assembly methodologies and production line architecture.

- Create standardized manufacturing processes for mechanical, electrical, and system-level integration.

- Drive line balancing, workstation optimization, and material flow efficiency across the production floor.

- Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles are incorporated into product development.

- Lead setup and commissioning of new production lines, pilot assembly cells, and manufacturing infrastructure.

- Continuously improve assembly workflows to enhance productivity, quality, and scalability.

3. Vendor Development & Supply Chain Management:

- Lead vendor sourcing, qualification, and onboarding for mechanical parts, fabricated components, precision machining, and assemblies.

- Develop and manage relationships with manufacturing vendors, contract manufacturers, and fabrication partners.

- Ensure supplier adherence to quality standards, process controls, documentation, and inspection requirements.

- Drive vendor performance across quality, pricing, lead times, scalability, and on-time delivery metrics.

- Establish supplier quality processes, audits, corrective action systems, and continuous improvement programs.

- Work closely with vendors to scale manufacturing capacity in line with business growth and production demand.

- Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and reliability.

- Monitor supplier risks, delivery bottlenecks, and inventory continuity to avoid production disruptions.

- Coordinate closely with procurement, engineering, and quality teams to ensure seamless material and assembly flow.

4. Process Improvement & Operational Excellence:

- Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.

- Optimize assembly workflows, testing procedures, and material movement.

- Reduce production cycle times, rework, and manufacturing costs.

- Introduce automation opportunities within production lines where applicable.

5. Quality & Compliance:

- Ensure adherence to quality standards, SOPs, and manufacturing best practices.

- Work closely with QA/QC teams to improve product reliability and reduce defects.

- Maintain compliance with safety, regulatory, and industry standards.

- Drive root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

- Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Service teams.

- Support design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and new product introduction (NPI) initiatives.

- Coordinate with sourcing teams to manage vendor performance and material availability.

- Participate in prototype-to-production transition planning.

7. Team Leadership:

- Build, mentor, and lead production supervisors, technicians, manufacturing engineers, and supply chain coordinators.

- Establish KPIs and performance metrics for production and vendor management teams.

- Foster a culture of accountability, safety, innovation, and operational discipline.

- Lead workforce planning, training, and succession development initiatives.

Reporting & Strategic Planning:

- Prepare production MIS reports, dashboards, and operational reviews.

- Monitor production budgets, inventory levels, and manufacturing costs.

- Support long-term factory expansion and manufacturing strategy.

- Contribute to organizational scaling and operational roadmap planning.

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electronics, Mechatronics, or related field.

- 10+ years of manufacturing/production experience with at least 5 years in leadership roles.

- Experience in robotics, automation, electronics manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, or precision engineering industries.

Strong understanding of:

- Robotics assembly processes

- Electronics integration and testing

- Production planning and inventory management

- Lean manufacturing methodologies

- ERP/MRP systems

- Quality management systems

- Assembly line design and workstation optimization

- Vendor development and supplier quality management

Preferred Qualifications:

- Masters degree in Operations, Manufacturing, or Business Management preferred.

- Certification in Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or Operations Management is an advantage.

- Experience scaling production from prototype to commercial manufacturing.

- Familiarity with ISO standards and manufacturing compliance systems.

- Exposure to contract manufacturing and global supply chain operations.

Key Skills:

- Manufacturing Operations

- Production Planning & Control

- Robotics Manufacturing

- Assembly Line Design

- Manufacturing Engineering

- Vendor Development & Management

- Supplier Quality Management

- Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma

- ERP/MRP Systems

- Cost Optimization

Success Metrics:

- On-time production delivery

- Production throughput and efficiency

- Reduction in defects and rework

- Vendor quality and delivery performance

- Assembly line efficiency and scalability