Head of Manufacturing

**About Us**:
At Harmattan AI, we are a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Driven by rigorous engineering developments of new defense products based on recent robotics and AI developments, we are on a steep growth trajectory. If you are interested in a career in a highly technical environment, thrive on pushing boundaries, and want to achieve ambitious goals, we would love to hear from you.

**About the Role**

As our Head of Manufacturing, you will be instrumental in enabling Harmattan AI’s rapid growth and success. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will own the end-to-end manufacturing strategy and execution, including the setup and optimization of medium
- to large-scale production lines in multiple locations. You will work under strict time and quality constraints to deliver our cutting-edge defense technologies on schedule and within budget. Your leadership will be critical in coordinating diverse teams, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, and driving continuous improvement across our manufacturing operations.

**Responsibilities**

**Strategic Oversight**
- Establish and execute a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that supports Harmattan AI’s overarching mission.
- Define production goals, timelines, and budgets, ensuring alignment with senior leadership’s vision and objectives.

**Production & Scale Management**
- Direct the setup and operation of manufacturing lines across multiple facilities, ensuring consistent quality standards and on-time delivery.
- Oversee plant operations and optimize production processes to meet scaling demands in dynamic, high-pressure environments.

**Supply Chain & Vendor Management**
- Develop and maintain relationships with key suppliers, negotiating contracts and managing inventory to minimise costs and ensure high-quality inputs.
- Coordinate logistics and distribution strategies to meet product delivery requirements across different geographies.

**Process Improvement**
- Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and boost operational efficiency, introducing best practices in Lean, Six Sigma, or other methodologies.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, increase throughput, and enhance overall product quality.

**Collaboration & Cross-Functional Coordination**
- Serve as a key liaison between R&D, Operations, Finance, and other departments to ensure smooth integration of manufacturing requirements.
- Partner with R&D to provide manufacturing feedback and adapt designs for efficient large-scale production.

**Leadership & Team Development**
- Build and mentor a high-performing manufacturing team, fostering a culture of ownership, innovation, and excellence.
- Set clear goals, manage performance, and support professional growth across manufacturing teams.

**Business Growth Support**
- Contribute to the expansion of Harmattan AI’s partnerships and external relationships, ensuring manufacturing scalability meets scaling demand.
- Collaborate with external stakeholders to secure new production sites or negotiate manufacturing joint ventures where necessary.

**Educational Background**
- A strong academic record in a technical field such as Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.

**Experience**
- 7-10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership, including significant experience implementing medium
- to large-scale production across multiple sites.
- Demonstrated success working under strict time and budget constraints, preferably in robotics, aerospace, defense, or similarly complex sectors.

**Technical Aptitude**

**Project & Stakeholder Management**
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver on challenging objectives under tight deadlines and high stakes.

**Adaptability**
- Thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments; exhibits a “no-task-is-too-small” mentality while driving large-scale strategic initiatives.

**Communication Skills**
- Excellent written and verbal communication, capable of influencing a wide range of stakeholders—from production-line personnel to senior executives.

**International Exposure (preferred)**
- Experience working across diverse geographies and cultures, demonstrating the ability to adapt manufacturing processes to different regulatory and operational contexts.

**Location & Commitment**
- Contract Type: Permanent, full-time position.
- Work Schedule: On-site in Paris with the potential for occasional travel.
- Availability: Due to the nature of our work, flexibility in working hours (including some evenings/weekends) may be required.
- Start Date: ASAP

We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of **autonomous defense systems** at Harmattan AI.