Director of Production/Manufacturing and Industrialisation

We say HI*

*Human Intelligence – Welcome with Team Thales

Thales in Germany is part of an internationally leading technology group in the defence and security, aerospace as well as digital identity and security markets. In a world characterised by uncertainties, we ensure that our customers, partners and employees can pursue new paths with confidence. For a future we can all trust.

Say HI* – to your career as

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

At the Industrial competence center site Ulm

In Ulm you will encounter communications solutions for space missions and electrical satellite thrusters. This is the right place for you if you want to join us in developing travelling wave tube amplifiers which are in use in on board of most satellites where they take care of signal transmission to earth. Or do you get excited about environmentally friendly electrical propulsion units? Then you will join the Thales expert team for aerospace components facilitating a sustainable life on earth. We are happy to have you on board

Your mission

• We're looking for an Industrial Site Director for our industrial competence center (450 people and 5 direct reports) to lead one of our key production and industrialization facilities You will be at the heart of ensuring customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and strategic industrial transformation.

• Lead the execution of the industrial strategy and represent the site, ensuring safety, competitiveness, and transformation across production and industrialization activities.

• Drive operational performance through cost control, inventory and CAPEX optimization, while developing key industrial competencies within your team

• Define and execute the site's strategic and operational goals, ensuring alignment 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

• Master's degree in an Engineering discipline or equivalent

• Long term experience in Production, Industrialization, and complex Supply Chains, with international leadership roles in both direct and matrix organizations

• In-depth knowledge of manufacturing and industrialization processes and methodologies like Toyota Production System, along with industrial financial controls (MYB, MTIP) with a high level of vertical integration

• Strong leadership and change management skills, with a proven ability to develop and inspire high-performing teams inline with the Thales Leadership Model

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of influencing customers, internal stakeholders, suppliers and engaging teams across all levels

• Advanced expertise in digital tools, continuous improvement methodologies, and data-driven problem solving

• 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.

You can find out more on our Corporate Social Responsibility here.

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 is looking forward to your online application on our Career portal.

Christian Frey
Head of Talent Acquisition

*Human Intelligence