Factory Manager

Position Title: Factory Manager

Date Reviewed: 28 APR 2024

Position Type: Regular, Exempt

Rate of Pay: DOE

Position Reports To: Director of Integration & Production (I&P)

FTE: 1.0

Supervises Others: Yes ☒ No ☐

Position Summary:

Since its inception in 2004, GEOST has been committed to solving mission-critical space domain and ISR challenges for DOD, IC and commercial customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. As we grow our operations in Tucson, AZ and Northern VA, we remain dedicated to the collaborative and innovative culture that is the foundation of our business. GEOST is an operating unit of LightRidge Solutions.

GEOST seeks a highly capable GEOST seeks an enthusiastic and highly capable Factory Manager to join the GEOST Leadership Team. This position is responsible for supporting tactical execution and strategic planning of hardware integration and production through effective and efficient use of facilities, staff, and technology.

The Factory Manager will play a pivotal role in our organization, providing strategic leadership and driving a culture of lean manufacturing and a factory of the future mindset. This individual will be responsible for mentoring staff, exerting cross-functional influence, and ensuring the highest standards of quality control. This candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop overall integration and production schedules, materials, and resource requirements to meet short and long-term production goals. 

What we look for in a Leader:

As an organizational leader at GEOST, we expect you to always demonstrate the following key leadership qualities: Honesty, Integrity, Loyalty, Curiosity, Courage, and “Leading from the front” (Servant Leadership).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategies to streamline factory operations and promote lean manufacturing principles.
• Mentor and develop factory staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Maintain cross-functional collaboration with various departments to ensure alignment with company objectives.
• Oversee quality control processes to ensure products meet rigorous standards.
• Utilize digital manufacturing tools to enhance production efficiency and problem-solving capabilities.
• Plan and schedule production activities to meet customer demands and deadlines.
• Communicate effectively with executive leadership and customers, providing clear and concise updates on factory operations.
• Select equipment and take responsibility for its maintenance.
• Ensure that the production will be cost-effective by estimating costs and negotiating and agreeing on budgets with both clients and managers.
• Monitor the production processes and adjust schedules as needed.
• Be responsible for the selection and maintenance of equipment.
• Monitor product standards and implement quality control programs.
• Liaise among different departments, e.g., suppliers, managers.
• Work with managers to implement the company's policies and goals.
• Ensure that health and safety guidelines are always followed.
• Oversees and participates in the recruitment, hiring, and training of Factory employees.
• Supports handling discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy/HR coordination.
• Continuously evolve departmental structure, teams, and processes for optimal, efficient operations.
• Maintain proper staffing to support Program Managers demand forecast and balance overall workload across projects while deconflicting resources to support program schedules.
• Support Quality in maintaining AS9100 certification standards with all processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, engineering, and/or manufacturing.
• At least five years of direct hands-on experience in factory leadership roles, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of factory operations.
• Experience in management of technical projects for US Government contracts.
• Strong understanding of quality standards and health & safety regulations.
• Knowledge of performance evaluation and budgeting concepts.
• Proficient in generating and maintaining factory capacity analysis.
• Experience in reporting on key production metrics.
• Proficient in ERP and MES software tools.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. Superior oral and written communication skills and sound problem-solving skills.
• Experience performing and working in a dynamic and high visibility role.
• Self-motivated and capable of performing tasks with minimal guidance and leading teams to firm up ambiguous requirements.
• Ability to support travel or off-site work as needed.
• Experience with space EO payloads, test plan development, astronomy, physics, electronics, software, and/or remote sensing.
• Excellent ability to organize complex tasks/projects in a clear manner to provide guidance to team members.
• Demonstrated ability through work experience, to partner across organizations to achieve results.
• Thorough understanding of the policies and practices used in the I&P division.
• Ability to set long-term goals and communicate them to the team.
• Ability to motivate cross-functional teams and organize/lead and organize multiple efforts to accomplish goals.
• An active U.S. Government Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Clearance.  Current SSBI is preferred.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.