Head of Production Operations

About Heart Aerospace

Heart’s mission is to create the fastest, most affordable and sustainable mode of transport for regional travel. Our goal is to serve the market in every corner of the world.

Our first aircraft is the ES-19, a nineteen-passenger airliner with an operating range of 400 km. The ES-19 is a fully electric aircraft, and our goal is to have the aircraft certified for commercial operation by 2026.

Your place of work will be at our main office and hangar facility. This is located at Säve Airport in Gothenburg, Sweden. Relocation assistance can be provided. At Heart you’ll be working at the cutting edge of technology while contributing towards a sustainable future. We offer stock options to all our employees and a challenging and inspiring work environment.

We seek experienced and skilled professionals to join our small, fast moving team developing a new electric aircraft in Sweden. We’re in a very expansive phase and now is the time to join our team.

Come help us write a new chapter in the history of aviation together.

Role Overview

The Head of Production Operations reports to the Chief Operating Officer and has the responsibility as the Production Organisation Accountable Manager (EASA Part 21 Subpart G). This will include establishing our ways of working for our production organisation, inventory management, inspection and manufacturing engineering, including practical and contractual matters.

In a manufacturing environment, you will drive the long-range strategic planning process for Manufacturing operations by overseeing and managing all manufacturing operations including tactical day to day operation commitments, including Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, Safety, Production control, Manufacturing Engineering, Inventory Control, Procurement, and shipping/receiving activities.

Initially this will be a hands-on role, but you will have the opportunity to recruit and grow the production operation department as we grow the company. You will lead the development of the company production organisation to obtain approval from the regulatory authorities through to product manufacturing, certification, industrial ramp up and service operations. To accomplish this goal you will work closely with the design engineering, office of airworthiness, quality assurance, supply chain and program departments.

This is a new role which presents both a challenge and exciting opportunity to develop, advance, and influence the development of our production organisation function.
Qualifications

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Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain Management or similar desired.

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Minimum 15 years experience in production or operations management, preferably in an aerospace company environment. A minimum 8+ year's experience in a Manufacturing Operations leadership role within a factory environment. 5+ years in a Lean leadership role.

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Excellent Communication Skills / Strong People Management skills.

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Ability to influence at all levels of an organization. Demonstrated success influencing cultural change.

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Experience of overseeing the development, implementation and continuous improvement of a production system that complies to AS9100D Quality Management System standards.

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Experience working in an EASA Part 21G Production Organization, or international equivalent.

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Experience with industrial and supplier production planning, logistics and quality assurance.

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Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems including configuration and change management.

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Experience with reportable occurrence concept, systems and management techniques - with focus on airworthiness/product safety impact assessment as well as encouraging & educating the production teams on observing, reporting and avoiding accidents/issues.

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Excellent verbal & written communication skills in English.

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Eagerness to work with others.

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Passion for aircraft and Heart’s mission.


The ideal candidate would have

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Experience working in an aerospace start-up environment.

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Formal qualification in Lean, Six Sigma or equivalent.

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Experience with aircraft certification programs through the entire design, development, certification and production lifecycle (EASA/FAA Part 23 or 25).



Heart Aerospace is a Swedish startup making electric regional airplanes. Heart's mission is to create the fastest, most affordable and sustainable transportation for regional travel to every corner of the world. Our first aircraft is the ES-19, a nineteen-passenger airliner with an operating range of 400 km. Our goal is to have the aircraft certified for commercial operation by 2026.