Director of Production/Manufacturing and Industrialisation (f/m/d) / Produktionsleitung

Director of Production/Manufacturing and Industrialisation (f/m/d)

Location: Ulm, Germany

We say HI* – to your career at Thales. The Industrial competence centre site in Ulm offers you the chance to work on communications solutions for space missions and electrical satellite thrusters. Join us in developing travelling wave tube amplifiers used on board most satellites or contribute to environmentally friendly electrical propulsion units, advancing sustainable life on earth.

Your mission

• Lead the industrial site of 450 people with 5 direct reports, ensuring customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and strategic industrial transformation.
• Execute the industrial strategy, represent the site, and ensure safety, competitiveness, and transformation across production and industrialisation activities.
• Drive operational performance through cost control, inventory and CAPEX optimisation, and develop key industrial competencies within the team.
• Define and execute the site’s strategic and operational goals, aligning with the operating model and business continuity planning.
• Foster cross‑functional collaboration with Engineering, PE, Supply Chain, and Operations to support industrial performance and Lean transformation.
• Manage site resources, including CAPEX planning, workforce development, and staffing to meet current and future business needs.

We are looking forward to candidates who

• Hold a Master’s degree in an Engineering discipline or equivalent.
• Bring long‑term experience in Production, Industrialisation, and complex Supply Chains with international leadership roles in direct and matrix organisations.
• Have in‑depth knowledge of manufacturing and industrialisation processes and methodologies such as the Toyota Production System, along with industrial financial controls (MYB, MTIP) and high vertical integration.
• Exhibit strong leadership and change‑management skills, proven in developing and inspiring high‑performing teams in line with the Thales Leadership Model.
• Possess excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence customers, internal stakeholders, suppliers, and engage teams across all levels.
• Have advanced expertise in digital tools, continuous improvement methodologies, and data‑driven problem solving.
• Hold a profound understanding of Supply Chain principles, industrial planning, and financial/operational performance metrics.

For our 77,000 employees in 68 countries we open up visionary perspectives, realise individual career paths and enable creative freedom. This is achieved with courage, versatility and the firm intention to make the demanding challenges of our time safer and more inclusive. With our sustainable value‑focused management we support diversity actively. Corporate Social Responsibility.

Say HI* – Your journey to us. At times of change our international teams are ready to meet the complexity of today with the industry‑leading technologies of tomorrow. Will you be part of it? Your contact Christian Frey looks forward to your online application on our Career portal.

Christian Frey
Head of Talent Acquisition
+49 174 173 73 61

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