Manufacturing Manager

Rock West Composites is seeking a Manufacturing Manager to lead our production operations. 

Who We Are:

Rock West Composites designs and manufactures advanced composite solutions for aerospace, defense, space, and commercial applications. From concept through production, we turn complex ideas into high-performance products.

As an employee-owned company, our people are our greatest strength. We value innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building products that matter.

Position Summary:

The Manufacturing Manager oversees daily manufacturing operations, including production scheduling, staffing, capacity planning, equipment, materials, and workflow. This role leads production personnel, resolves operational challenges, and works cross-functionally to ensure production goals are met safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

What You'll Own

• Daily manufacturing operations and production execution
• Production scheduling, staffing, and capacity planning
• Team leadership, training, and performance
• Equipment, materials, tooling, and inventory
• Safety, quality, productivity, and on-time delivery
• Continuous improvement and operational efficiency

Essential Functions

Production Planning & Operations

• Manage daily production schedules, staffing, work assignments, and priorities to meet manufacturing and customer requirements.
• Evaluate production demand, equipment capacity, materials, tooling, and labor to maintain efficient workflow and production readiness.
• Monitor work in process, resolve bottlenecks, and adjust resources to address changing priorities and production constraints.
• Coordinate with Planning, Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and Maintenance to resolve issues and support production requirements.

Manufacturing Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee manufacturing processes, equipment utilization, department inventory, and resource allocation to maintain productivity and cost control.
• Monitor production metrics, including schedule attainment, quality, scrap/rework, downtime, and equipment utilization, taking corrective action when needed.
• Support equipment preventive maintenance and drive improvements in workflow, efficiency, productivity, and waste reduction.
• Ensure compliance with engineering drawings, work instructions, quality standards, safety requirements, and applicable AS9100 procedures.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop manufacturing personnel while establishing clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and accountability.
• Manage staffing, employee performance, attendance, training, and cross-training to support production needs and workforce development.
• Maintain accurate production documentation, work order transactions, and manufacturing records.
• Promote a safe, organized, and efficient work environment through 5S, visual management, and continuous improvement practices.

Non-Essential Functions

Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

Experience

• 8+ years of manufacturing or production management experience.
  
• Experience managing production schedules, staffing, capacity, workflow, and manufacturing resources.
• Demonstrated experience leading production teams and driving operational performance.
• Aerospace, defense, space, aircraft, composites, or precision manufacturing experience strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production processes, equipment utilization, and resource planning. Composites manufacturing preferred. 
• Experience with production scheduling, labor planning, materials, tooling, inventory, and performance metrics.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, work orders, and manufacturing documentation.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, Microsoft Office, Lean manufacturing principles, and quality systems such as AS9100.

Professional Skills

• Strong leadership, employee development, and organizational skills.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage changing priorities while maintaining safety, quality, and production goals.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000 (based on experience and skillset)
• 100% Employer-Paid Medical & Dental
• Annual Bonus Program
• 401(k) with 5% Match
• Employee Stock Option Program
• 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
• Paid Holidays + Generous PTO 
• $2,500 Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rock West Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. EEO is the law. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. Certain positions require meeting the U.S. Person definition in 22 CFR 120.62.

ITAR Requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder) as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Rock West Composites will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. Rock West Composites will not seek an export authorization for this role. Rock West Composites maintains a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace. Depending on state law and the nature of the position, candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to complete a drug screening. Rock West Composites may also conduct drug and alcohol testing based on reasonable suspicion, post-incident, or for safety-sensitive positions as permitted by law.

Accommodation Notice

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537-6260.