Position Profile

Free Wheelchair Mission exists to transform lives through the gift of mobility to people living with disabilities in developing nations, as motivated by the love of Jesus Christ. Their work begins with a wheelchair, but it leads to so much more access to education, employment, community, and dignity.

The vision of Free Wheelchair Mission is a world where everyone who needs a wheelchair has one. With nearly 80 million people globally still lacking access to mobility, FWM is committed to bridging that gap through innovation, global partnership, and compassion.

Rooted in faith and guided by a spirit of humility and service, Free Wheelchair Mission values people over process, relationships over recognition, and impact over accolades. Their team works with excellence, integrity, and a deep sense of calling believing that every life matters and that mobility is a gateway to hope.

Free Wheelchair Mission is an organization shaped by compassion, pursuit, and a clear sense of mission. From the headquarters in Irvine to global partners across more than 95 countries, the team is united by a calling to serve with excellence, humility, and purpose. The work is global and complex, but the heart behind it is simple. They operate to transform lives through the gift of mobility.

• Faith Lived Out: Faith is the foundation of Free Wheelchair Mission. The team is motivated and guided by values of service, generosity, and grace. Spiritual encouragement is integrated into the culture in ways that feel sincere, respectful, and unifying. Staff come from a range of Christian traditions but share a common desire to honor God through their work.
• Relational and Supportive: Relationships matter here. Whether working with international partners, training global teams, or collaborating across departments, the culture is grounded in trust, encouragement, and teamwork. Staff invest in one another and in the people they serve, creating a workplace that is both professional and deeply connected.
• Humble and Collaborative: Leaders at every level operate with humility and a servant mindset. Collaboration is central and decisions are made through thoughtful conversation, and credit is shared generously. There is a deep respect for the long standing members of the team and an openness to new ideas and growth.
• Mission Driven and Resilient: This is a team that works hard and stays focused. The mission is bold and ambitious, and team members are expected to show up with care, flexibility, and a willingness to build. Whether managing partner relationships, launching a new wheelchair, or navigating global logistics, the work requires both resolve and compassion.
• Stewardship and Impact Focused: Free Wheelchair Mission takes its responsibility seriously. Resources are used wisely, systems are built with intention, and every decision is evaluated through the lens of impact. The team seeks to honor both donors and recipients through excellence, transparency, and faith fueled purpose.

• Vision and Strategy: Lead the vision and strategy for Free Wheelchair Mission’s manufacturing and product development work. Build scalable systems and thoughtful processes that align with the organization’s mission, values, and long term goals. Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership, helping ensure that every wheelchair produced reflects both engineering excellence and the heart of the mission. The Director will continue strengthening the structures and systems built in recent years by  ensuring the manufacturing function remains both technically excellent and deeply aligned with mission and values.

• Manufacturing Partnerships and Supply Chain Management: Manage global manufacturing, sourcing, and logistics relationships, ensuring products and shipments are produced and distributed ethically, efficiently, and to the highest standards. Oversee contractual agreements with factories, guide design modifications, and collaborate with independent contractors who source new suppliers and potential manufacturing sites. Lead the complex global shipping logistics of wheelchair containers and medical supply gift-in-kind donations, ensuring each shipment reflects the organization’s values of stewardship and excellence.

• Quality Assurance and Compliance: Oversee quality control and assurance programs that ensure every wheelchair meets established safety and performance standards. Maintain systems for monitoring production quality, resolving issues, and implementing improvements. Ensure compliance with international standards and uphold the reputation of Free Wheelchair Mission through consistent quality.

• Cross Department Collaboration: Collaborate closely with leaders in Programs, Operations, Finance, and Compliance to align manufacturing priorities with distribution goals and global partner needs. Coordinate the flow of information between departments to ensure clear communication, accurate forecasting, and shared accountability for outcomes.

• Team Leadership and Development: Lead and support the Manufacturing team, including engineers, procurement staff, and consultants. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Provide mentorship and guidance to help the team grow in expertise, efficiency, and impact. The Director will lead a diverse global team of staff and independent contractors who manage factory relationships, sourcing, and international shipping logistics.

• Planning, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement: Develop and manage annual manufacturing plans, budgets, and performance metrics. Create feedback systems to capture data from partners and field use that inform future design and process improvements. Encourage a learning mindset across all aspects of production and operations.

• Travel and Representation: Travel internationally and domestically to visit manufacturing sites, monitor quality and compliance, and strengthen relationships with production partners 1 – 2 times annually. Represent Free Wheelchair Mission with integrity and care, sharing the mission and ensuring that every partnership supports the goal of transforming lives through the gift of mobility.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required. A degree in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related technical field is preferred. Advanced training in product design, manufacturing systems, or supply chain management is an advantage.
• Relevant Experience: Proven ability to manage high-volume production, negotiate vendor contracts, and maintain ethical and efficient supply chains. Experience with cost optimization, materials sourcing, and logistics coordination. Familiarity with regulatory compliance, safety standards, and quality systems. Exposure to international work environments or humanitarian product design is highly valued.
• Strategic Leadership: Adept at leading long-term planning and translating strategy into clear operational goals. Skilled at balancing innovation with stewardship, ensuring quality and cost effectiveness are maintained across all projects. Comfortable working at both strategic and hands-on levels and collaborating across multiple departments to align goals and resources.
• Communication and Collaboration: Strong communicator who builds trust with global partners, engineers, and internal teams. Able to bridge technical and relational priorities, communicate complex information clearly, and model integrity and care in all interactions. Skilled at keeping teams focused, organized, and moving forward toward shared goals. Motivated by a shared purpose and eager to serve within a faith based organization that values excellence and compassion. Building upon strong existing systems and trusted manufacturing relationships, this leader will focus on optimization by enhancing communication, efficiency, and accountability across the production cycle.

Challenges:

• Free Wheelchair Mission is entering a season of innovation and growth. With the introduction of the GEN 4 JOY wheelchair and the goal of reaching three million people by 2035, the organization is expanding its production capacity and refining its systems for long term sustainability. This will require a leader who can bring both strategic clarity and operational discipline.
• The manufacturing and product development functions are evolving to meet new demands in quality, efficiency, and scale. The Director will need to strengthen systems, clarify processes, and build strong internal rhythms that support collaboration across departments.
• The global supply chain is complex and influenced by variables such as cost, logistics, and regulatory shifts. Maintaining consistency across international production partners will require cultural awareness, adaptability, and creative problem solving without compromising quality or mission.
• Balancing innovation with stewardship will be an ongoing challenge. This leader will navigate when to push for new designs and when to optimize existing models, ensuring each decision reflects Free Wheelchair Mission’s values and commitment to excellence.
• This role includes travel to manufacturing sites and close engagement with partners while also leading a team at headquarters. Success will require thoughtful prioritization, presence, and steady leadership.

Opportunities:

• This is a rare opportunity to guide a mission that blends faith, innovation, and compassion. The Director of Manufacturing will shape how Free Wheelchair Mission delivers the gift of mobility to millions more people around the world.
• The organization has a strong foundation in place with trusted manufacturing partners, proven product lines, and a collaborative team culture. The new Director will have the tools, resources, and leadership support to drive greater efficiency, strengthen partnerships, and build a high-performing team that will carry the mission forward for years to come.
• The work is deeply meaningful. Every improvement in design, quality, or process directly translates into a better experience for someone gaining access, dignity, and independence through mobility.
• The team is talented, faith centered, and united by purpose. There is space here to innovate, to mentor others, and to lead with both head and heart.
• With the upcoming GEN 4 JOY launch and renewed global momentum, this is a defining moment. The right leader will step into a season filled with creativity, growth, and the chance to shape a lasting legacy of hope and transformation.
• Build on existing international manufacturing and logistics partnerships by developing a unified global team structure that integrates factories, contractors, and shipping partners under a shared vision of mission-driven excellence.

• Continue the Rollout of the GEN 4 JOY: Oversee the continued rollout of the GEN 4 JOY wheelchair, ensuring that production, testing, and partner coordination reflect excellence and reliability. Evaluate and enhance systems developed during early rollout to strengthen consistency and feedback loops. Ensure manufacturing partners and independent contractors are fully trained and aligned on GEN 4 JOY specifications, and establish clear feedback mechanisms between factories, shipping teams, and field partners.
• Optimize Systems for the Future: Review manufacturing processes and documentation for clarity, accuracy, and long-term sustainability, building on what’s working while identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement. Develop and implement improved global shipping and logistics systems that increase visibility, reduce lead times, and enhance coordination across container shipments and medical supply gift-in-kind donations. Partner with Programs and Finance teams to create a shared production and shipping calendar that supports mission delivery goals.
• Strengthen Global Manufacturing Partnerships: Build strong relationships with current manufacturers and suppliers through consistent communication, clear expectations, and mutual accountability. Complete site visits to evaluate quality, capacity, and alignment with mission and values, and identify opportunities for improvement or expansion. Review and update factory contractual agreements, manage design change processes, and collaborate with independent contractors to explore new supplier networks and future manufacturing sites that expand global capacity.
• Unite and Empower a Global Team: Lead and support a diverse team of full-time employees and independent contractors around the world. Create clear communication channels and accountability structures that strengthen collaboration between manufacturing, shipping, and partner engagement teams. Foster a shared culture of excellence, innovation, and mission-driven service that connects daily work to the lives being transformed through mobility.