Senior Production Manager

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Production Manager to lead and inspire a dedicated team of up to 150 professionals—including fabricators, outfitters, and electricians—committed to manufacturing state-of-the-art combatant craft. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully managing large, diverse teams in a fast-paced, high-stakes manufacturing environment. 

The Senior Production Manager will take ownership of all aspects of production operations, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. This role requires a blend of hands-on leadership, strategic oversight, and the ability to continuously empower and develop a team to reach their full potential. 

Key Responsibilities (include but are not limited to): 

• Team Leadership & Empowerment: 
  Lead, mentor, and motivate a high-performing team of up to 150 fabricators, outfitters, electricians, and support personnel. Foster a positive, collaborative, and results-driven culture. Empower individuals to take ownership of their work and provide continuous development opportunities. 

• Production Oversight: 
  Oversee the end-to-end production process, from raw material receipt to the final assembly of complex combatant craft. Ensure adherence to strict quality standards, safety protocols, and operational timelines. 

• Process Improvement & Optimization: 
  Continuously identify opportunities for process improvement, cost optimization, and operational efficiency. Leverage Lean Manufacturing principles to drive productivity while maintaining high standards of craftsmanship and precision but recognize that we are a highly customized job shop and not a widget manufacturer. 

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: 
  Work closely with Engineering, Project Management Office and Quality Assurance to ensure smooth communication and alignment between departments. Ensure that production specifications are met and that any technical issues are addressed quickly and effectively. 

• Resource Management: 
  Manage the allocation of resources (personnel, materials, equipment) to ensure production targets are met. Oversee scheduling and inventory management to avoid bottlenecks and downtime. 

• Safety & Compliance: 
  Champion a culture of safety by ensuring all team members adhere to company safety protocols and industry regulations. Lead by example to maintain a safe working environment and mitigate risks.  Oversee training and education, fire safety and emergency preparedness, implement programs and policies in compliance with OSHA guidelines and support supervisors and leads. 

• Reporting & Documentation: 
  Provide regular reports to senior management on production performance, including progress against milestones, budget adherence, and key challenges. Use data to drive decisions and improve operational efficiency. 

Qualifications: 

• Experience: 

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in a senior production, program, or project management role, preferably in high-tech, manufacturing, or defense-related industries. 

• Proven experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams (up to 150 people). 

• Experience in managing complex projects with tight deadlines and high standards. 

• Leadership: 

• Strong leadership and people management skills with a passion for developing talent and empowering teams. 

• Ability to inspire and maintain morale across diverse roles and skill levels. 

• Excellent conflict resolution and decision-making abilities. 

• Technical Expertise: 

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, particularly in the fabrication and assembly of complex systems. 

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives. 

• Familiarity with military standards and specifications for specialized equipment is a plus. 

• Communication Skills: 

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. 

• Comfortable presenting to senior leadership and working collaboratively across departments. 

• Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field is preferred, though significant relevant experience may substitute for formal education. 

• Certifications: 

• Relevant certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or similar) are a plus. 

About Copper River & The Native Village of Eyak:

Owned by the Native Village of Eyak (NVE), a federally recognized Alaska Native Tribe, the Copper River Family of Companies are a collection of entities that deliver a complementary set of solutions and services to support the diverse missions and requirements of our clients. Proud participants of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program since 2006, our companies consist of both current and graduation SBA 8(a) entities. It is our collective purpose to support the Tribe and diversify the NVE’s ability to facilitate economic advancement.

The income generated from our companies helps the Native Village of Eyak fund health and social services, economic development, natural resource/environmental education, jobs, job training, and other benefits to the NVE in a manner that is consistent with Alaskan Native cultural values and traditions.

Copper River’s Culture

The Copper River Family of Companies has a positive, supportive, and thriving culture. At the foundation of our culture is a focus on collaboration. No matter your role or which operating company you work for, we are ONE TEAM working toward the same goals for our customers and for our collective owner- The Native Village of Eyak. How we treat each other is just as important as the work we deliver.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Account - healthcare and dependent care
• Health Savings Account - high deductible medical plan
• Retirement 401(k) with employer match
• Open leave policy and paid holidays
• Additional benefits including tuition reimbursement, transportation expense account, employee assistance program, and more! 

Note: These benefits are only applicable to full time, regular associates at Copper River.

Disclaimer:

The Copper River Family of Companies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.