Michael Melton
Costa Mesa,,CA
Summary
Experienced manufacturing and operations leader with 13 years of aerospace industry experience spanning hands-on assembly and technician roles, team leadership, and production management. Proven ability to translate business strategy into disciplined day-to-day execution on the production floor while aligning people, resources, quality, cost, and customer delivery requirements. Led production operations across multiple product lines, accountable for a $100M+ annual revenue commitment, with responsibility for driving performance in complex, fast-paced manufacturing environments. Confident working in fast-paced, demanding production environments where priorities can change quickly and accountability matters.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Production Manager
Parker Hannifin Corp.
Irvine, California
04.2024 - Current
- Directly managed 24 technicians across multiple aerospace production teams, including hiring, performance management, employee reviews, discipline, training, and workforce development.
- Managed production execution across multiple value streams with a combined annual sales commitment exceeding $100M, with direct accountability for the production plan and revenue tied to the Master Plan Schedule.
- Managed production and operations for the Helicopter program while simultaneously supporting the Engines and Transit value streams, balancing capacity, labor, materials, equipment, and competing production priorities.
- Led assembly, test, and CNC machining shop operations of SERVO valve systems to supply top-level assemblies.
- Planned and managed workforce requirements to support production capacity and production ramps, adjusting headcount and labor resources to meet changing demand and customer commitments.
- Managed production ramp-ups and coordinated resources across production, planning, procurement, engineering, and quality to support increased production requirements.
- Owned key operating metrics including OTD, delivery performance, overtime, manufacturing cost, efficiency, utilization, safety, and monthly revenue performance.
- Managed daily production schedules and shop-floor priorities, allocating labor and resources to maintain production flow and meet internal and external customer delivery commitments.
- Experience with MRP and Master Planning/Scheduling to translate demand and production requirements into capacity plans, labor requirements, production schedules, and delivery commitments.
- Leveraged ERP AMAPS for manufacturing production orders, material planning, work orders, scheduling, and production data, along with reporting for labor, material, product cost, efficiency, and production performance.
- Applied Power BI to monitor and analyze overtime, production metrics, KPIs, and cost performance, providing visibility into operating trends and areas requiring action.
- Worked closely with Engineering and Quality to maintain a 98% First Pass Yield and drive production and quality issues through resolution.
- Applied quality risk-management tools to identify issues, establish actions, and follow corrective actions through completion.
- Worked within the AS9100 aerospace quality-management environment while maintaining safety, quality, cost, and delivery expectations.
- Partnered with Production Planning and Procurement to align material availability and inventory levels with production demand and customer delivery requirements.
- Reduced cost and cycle time through Lean and 5S initiatives focused on improving production flow, eliminating waste, and increasing operational efficiency.
Operations Team Leader
Collins Aerospace
Riverside
06.2021 - 03.2024
- Led a team of 20 production assemblers, coordinating daily operations to meet scheduled deadlines
- Developed daily workflow plans and assigned work to optimize product flow and fulfill production requirements
- Collaborated with Quality Engineering, Procurement, and external suppliers to resolve material and production needs
- Tracked production progress and escalated issues, delays, and resource requirements to supervisors
- Coached and supported team members to sustain productivity, quality, and adherence to established standards
- Conducted employee performance reviews and delivered actionable feedback to support performance and professional development
- Ensured compliance with AS9100 quality management standards and company procedures
- Coordinated labor, equipment, and material resources to support daily production requirements
- Diagnosed and helped resolve production issues, material shortages, equipment failures, and schedule delays
- Drove cost-reduction initiatives while preserving quality, product requirements, and workplace safety
Assembler
Collins Aerospace Advance Structures
11.2014 - 07.2021
- Experience in composite lay-up and metal bonding
- Assembled components with minimal supervision, exceeding expectations of leadership
- Utilized standard work and standard work combination sheets in performing my daily tasks and activities to ensure cycle times were met and efficiency standards were achieved
- Obtained appropriate tooling and fixtures for each assembly job
- Refined part surfaces and interfaces to enhance product fit and finish
- Observed and followed required procedures for handling and discarding hazardous materials
- July 2021-participated in the Military Programs 3P Cell Design event of building 4 Gridlock bond room. High level results were the reduction of occupancy by 42% and a related cost reduction of $15,160 per month as well as bond shop travel reduction of 34%.
- Assembled complex aerospace components following detailed blueprints and specifications
- Operated hand tools and power equipment to complete assembly tasks efficiently
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely assembly of aircraft structures
Customer Experience Attendant
Bear Creek Golf Course & Club
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Built trustful relationships with clientele to ensure return visits.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve guest experiences and build brand loyalty.
- Coordinated arrivals and departures of VIP clients.
- Create client profiles on long-term and return customers to deliver personalized customer treatment and service during continuum of visit.
- Resolved guest complaints and provided complimentary services to maintain high guest satisfaction rates.
- Trained new employees, demonstrating best methods for serving clients and guests.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business
University of Redlands
Redlands, CASkills
- Safety management
- Production operations leadership/management
- Lean manufacturing
- Continuous improvement
- Problem solving
- Quality assurance
- Risk management
- Effective communication
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Cost optimization
- Servant leadership
- Team engagement
- Adaptability
Timeline
Production Manager
Parker Hannifin Corp.
04.2024 - Current
Operations Team Leader
Collins Aerospace
06.2021 - 03.2024
Assembler
Collins Aerospace Advance Structures
11.2014 - 07.2021
Customer Experience Attendant
Bear Creek Golf Course & Club
01.2010 - 01.2014
Bachelor of Science - Business
University of Redlands