Head of Manufacturing – Production Scale-Up | SpaceTech

Location: Munich Area, Germany

Industry: Space Tech / Advanced Manufacturing

Relocation: Support available

About the company

Our client is a fast-growing German deep-tech company developing and manufacturing highly engineered components for demanding technical applications.

Combining advanced materials with cutting-edge engineering, the company is entering a critical growth phase, transitioning from small-scale, engineering-driven production towards scalable and reliable serial manufacturing.

About the Role

To support this transformation, we are looking for a Head of Manufacturing to take full ownership of production operations, lead a team of approximately 50–60 employees, and build the processes, structures, and capabilities needed to support the company’s ambitious growth plans.

The challenge? Double production output while maintaining the highest standards of quality, delivery, and operational efficiency.

This position offers a unique combination of strategic responsibility and hands-on operational leadership. We are looking for someone who enjoys defining the long-term manufacturing strategy while remaining closely involved in day-to-day operations, working alongside team leaders, engineers, and machine operators on the shopfloor.

You should be equally comfortable shaping the manufacturing strategy and rolling up your sleeves to make it happen.

Your Responsibilities

Scale manufacturing operations

• Lead the transition from low-volume production towards scalable serial manufacturing.
• Drive production ramp-up, with the ambition to increase manufacturing output by approximately 100%.
• Develop scalable production processes and systems in an environment that is not yet fully automated.
• Identify and eliminate operational bottlenecks while improving throughput, capacity utilization, and delivery performance.

Lead and develop the manufacturing organization

• Take ownership of a manufacturing organization of approximately 50–60 employees, including operational team leaders and production engineering functions.
• Coach and develop team leaders while creating clear responsibilities, performance expectations, and accountability.
• Maintain a strong presence on the shopfloor, working closely with operators, engineers, and production supervisors.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement, operational discipline, and collaborative problem-solving.

Implement operational excellence

• Introduce and optimize Lean Manufacturing principles, standardized work instructions, production planning, and performance management.
• Establish transparent KPIs covering productivity, quality, efficiency, scrap, and production output.
• Improve manufacturing processes, material flows, equipment utilization, and resource planning.
• Develop structured documentation, traceability, and quality processes suitable for complex technical products.

Bridge engineering and production

• Work closely with engineering, quality, supply chain, and management teams to ensure production readiness.
• Support the industrialization of new products and adapt existing manufacturing processes as product requirements evolve.
• Translate technical challenges into practical, repeatable, and scalable production solutions.
  

Your Profile

What we’re looking for

• At least 5 years of leadership experience in manufacturing or production operations, ideally managing teams of 30+ employees.
• Proven track record in scaling production, increasing manufacturing output, or leading a significant industrial ramp-up.
• Strong technical background, ideally in mechanical engineering, production engineering, industrial engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience manufacturing complex, high-value technical products, ideally involving metals, composites, or advanced materials.
• Solid understanding of Lean Manufacturing, production planning, process optimization, and operational KPIs.
• Experience working in quality-critical or highly regulated manufacturing environments where documentation, traceability, and process discipline are essential.
• A hands-on leadership style: comfortable discussing strategy with senior management and solving operational challenges directly with machine operators.
• Professional fluency in German and English.

Why Join?

A genuine scaling challenge: Take ownership of a manufacturing operation at a pivotal moment, with the objective of doubling production output.

Real operational autonomy: Shape the production system, improve processes, develop teams, and directly influence the company’s growth.

Cutting-edge technology: Work with complex, innovative products combining advanced materials and demanding engineering requirements.

Visible impact: Your decisions will directly influence manufacturing capacity, product quality, customer delivery, and future international expansion.

Entrepreneurial environment: Join a fast-growing organization with short decision-making processes and close collaboration between engineering, operations, and leadership.

Competitive package and relocation support:

• Competitive fixed annual salary depending on experience
• Potential future equity participation
• Temporary accommodation support during the first months of relocation
• Visa and relocation assistance where applicable
• Additional employee benefits