Plant Manager – Manufacturing Operations Lead

About the role

BASEYARD is building a next‑generation industrial ecosystem for defence and dual‑use technologies in Portugal. We are seeking an experienced, hands‑on Plant Manager to establish and lead our manufacturing operations in Braga, creating a world‑class production facility that supports multiple high‑tech products and customers.

Key responsibilities

• Build and lead the manufacturing organisation from the ground up.
• Manage daily plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, high‑quality production.
• Develop and implement production planning, scheduling, and capacity planning processes.
• Lead supply chain, procurement, logistics, warehouse, and inventory management activities.
• Establish manufacturing processes for electronics, mechanical assemblies, integrated systems, and unmanned platforms.
• Drive New Product Introduction (NPI) and ensure smooth transition from engineering to serial production.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Develop KPIs for safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, quality management systems, export‑control requirements and defence‑industry regulations.
• Oversee production equipment, facilities, maintenance and operational infrastructure.
• Prepare operational budgets and monitor manufacturing costs.

Required profile

• Senior‑level professional with proven plant‑management experience in high‑tech or defence manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale a manufacturing organisation from scratch.
• Strong leadership skills and experience working closely with engineering teams on product industrialisation.

Required skills

• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Production planning and capacity planning
• Supply chain and logistics management
• Warehouse and inventory management
• Manufacturing processes for electronics and mechanical assemblies
• New Product Introduction (NPI)
• KPI development and performance monitoring
• ISO standards compliance
• Export‑control and defence‑industry regulations