Head of Production / Produktionsleiter (m/f/d)

About This Opportunity

Our talent team is representing a confidential space technology organization based in München that is building a scalable production system to support significant growth. We are seeking a Head of Production to take full operational responsibility for production output, quality, scheduling, and productivity while establishing KPI-driven processes and lean manufacturing practices.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will build and lead a production organization with clear roles, responsibilities, and escalation pathways. You will work closely with quality, supply chain, sales, and program management functions while representing production interests at the executive level.

Responsibilities

• Own overall production output, quality, delivery performance, and productivity metrics
• Lead day-to-day operations through active shopfloor management and visible leadership
• Build and maintain KPI-based production systems tracking plan fulfillment, first-pass yield, scrap, rework, throughput time, and on-time delivery
• Structure the production organization with defined roles, decision-making authority, and escalation procedures
• Ensure robust capacity and personnel planning while systematically eliminating operational bottlenecks
• Drive adherence to standardized processes and implement lean management and continuous improvement methodologies
• Lead, develop, and upskill production team members
• Interface with quality, supply chain, sales, production planning, and program management teams
• Provide transparent reporting on production performance and escalate critical risks to executive leadership
• Ensure production problems are systematically analyzed, clearly owned, and sustainably resolved

What We're Looking For

Experience Requirements:

• Several years of leadership experience in operational production as Production Manager, Head of Production, Operations Manager, or equivalent
• Background in technically demanding production environments with high quality and process requirements, preferably aerospace, space, medical technology, automotive, defense, or precision engineering
• Proven experience building and scaling production organizations
• Experience with variant-rich small-batch or series production involving assembly, inspection, and testing processes
• Strong capability in capacity planning, production control, personnel planning, and bottleneck management
• Track record collaborating with quality, supply chain, and customer-facing functions

Technical Competencies:

• Deep understanding of shopfloor management and operational production leadership
• Expertise building and managing production KPIs
• Strong knowledge of lean management, continuous improvement, standard work, 5S, problem-solving, and root cause analysis
• Experience reducing scrap, rework, throughput time, and improving delivery reliability
• Solid understanding of quality management, traceability, process discipline, and documented work instructions
• Familiarity with ERP, MES, or digital production planning systems
• Strong technical understanding of assembly, manufacturing, and testing processes

Leadership and Personal Attributes:

• Hands-on mentality with high shopfloor presence
• Clear, consistent, and results-oriented leadership style
• Ability to define responsibilities, make decisions, and ensure follow-through
• Strong problem-solving skills with structured, data-driven, and pragmatic approach
• Capability to develop, train, and align team members to clear standards
• Resilience and composure in fast-paced, high-growth environments
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to represent operational requirements to executive leadership
• Entrepreneurial mindset, strong sense of ownership, and willingness to personally drive operational changes

Education and Languages:

• Technical or engineering degree (mechanical engineering, production technology, mechatronics) OR technical vocational training with master craftsman, technician certification, or equivalent plus extensive relevant leadership experience
• Fluent German and English required

How We Work with You

Candidates apply directly through Get A Job.ai. Our recruiting team will conduct an initial screening to understand your background and assess fit for this role. Qualified candidates will then be submitted to our client for consideration. Please do not attempt to contact the client directly, as all communication must flow through Get A Job.ai to protect both your candidacy and our client relationship.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed during the screening process based on your experience and qualifications.

Equal Opportunity: Get A Job.ai is committed to inclusive hiring practices. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background.