• Director of Manufacturing

    Dayton Granger, Inc. (Fort Lauderdale, FL)


    Immediately Hiring: Director of Manufacturing

     

    Company: Dayton-Granger, Inc.

     

    Industry: Aviation & Aerospace Component Manufacturing

     

    Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire | On-Site

     

    Perks: Competitive Pay · Excellent Benefits · Leadership Role · Long-Term Stability

     

    Dayton-Granger, Inc., a vertically integrated aerospace component manufacturer with over 80 years of success, is seeking a strategic, hands-on Director of Manufacturing to lead and oversee all production and manufacturing engineering operations. This individual will drive efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery across our machine shop, assembly, paint, and finishing departments while also managing the Manufacturing Engineering team responsible for supporting process development, tooling, and work instructions.

     

    The ideal candidate brings proven leadership in aerospace or a similarly regulated manufacturing environment and thrives in a collaborative, results-driven culture.

    Key Responsibilities:

    + Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across Production and Manufacturing Engineering departments

    + Oversee the execution of all manufacturing activities, ensuring safety, quality, schedule, and cost targets are met

    + Lead the Manufacturing Engineering team in supporting the production floor with process improvements, tooling, routings, documentation, and root cause investigations

    + Partner with Engineering, Quality, Procurement, and Planning to drive product realization and efficient handoff from design to production

    + Ensure compliance with FAA, AS9100, ISO 9001, and internal quality requirements

    + Develop and track KPIs across departments (OEE, scrap, rework, throughput, on-time delivery, labor efficiency)

    + Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing, 5S, and Six Sigma methodologies

    + Coordinate staffing, shift coverage, and resource allocation to meet changing demands

    + Lead production meetings, support cross-functional problem-solving, and resolve bottlenecks quickly

    + Support new product introduction (NPI) and engineering change implementation through collaboration with design and development teams

    + Mentor and develop supervisors, team leads, and engineers to build a culture of accountability and operational excellence

    + Support internal and external audits and represent Manufacturing in customer-facing discussions as needed

    Required Qualifications:

    + Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related technical field

    + 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, including direct oversight of production and engineering teams

    + Aerospace, defense, or regulated manufacturing industry experience

    + Deep understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, assembly, paint, finishing) and process engineering support

    + Demonstrated success driving KPIs and leading multi-functional teams

    + ERP proficiency (Oracle or similar), strong data analysis and reporting capabilities

    + Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills

    Preferred Qualifications:

    + Advanced degree (MBA or Master's in Engineering/Operations)

    + Experience in vertically integrated manufacturing

    + Familiarity with FAA regulations, AS9100, NADCAP, and aerospace customer audits

    + Experience implementing lean, Kaizen, or Six Sigma frameworks

    Why You'll Love Working at DG:

    At Dayton-Granger, you'll lead a close-knit team within a legacy aerospace company that designs, builds, and delivers everything from one location in sunny South Florida. Our vertically integrated operation allows for quick decision-making, visibility across the product lifecycle, and real impact in everything you do. With an average employee tenure of over 10 years, we foster a culture of trust, excellence, and growth.

    Benefits:

    + Competitive compensation

    + 401(k) with company match

    + Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

    + Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and parental leave

    + Complimentary life insurance + supplemental coverage

    + Short- and long-term disability

    + Tuition reimbursement

    + On-site gym and employee appreciation events

    + Relocation assistance available

    Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

    This position requires access to information subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons (U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).