Manager, Operations, Defense

VACCO Industries

Job Description

Job Title: Manager, Operations

Department: Operations

Reports To: Director, Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt - (216XY)

Prepared By: D. Neff

Prepared Date: May 26, 2026

Dept. Approval By: ___ Date: ____

H.R. Approval By: ___ Date: ____

SUMMARY:

• Serve as a technical leader and resource to Supervisors, Leads, and Technicians by providing guidance on product builds, testing, troubleshooting, workmanship standards, and quality expectations
• Drive achievement of financial and operational KPIs through disciplined execution, process optimization, and data-driven decision making
• Lead operations for precision mechanical parts and assemblies, ensuring products are manufactured, tested, and delivered in compliance with engineering specifications, quality standards, and customer requirements
• Own strategic planning for capacity, production flow, and continuous improvement initiatives to support operational scalability, cost reduction, and schedule adherence
• Maintain strong working knowledge of product functionality, manufacturing processes, testing requirements, and end-use applications to support operational execution and technical decision-making
• Lead, develop, and motivate Supervisors, Leads, and Technicians to achieve operational excellence, technical competency, and continuous efficiency gains

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead Operations Supervisors, Leads, and Technicians to achieve operational metrics, production objectives, delivery performance, and business unit goals
• Ensure products are manufactured, assembled, tested, inspected, and documented in compliance with engineering specifications, quality standards, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Serve as a technical leader and resource to production personnel by providing guidance related to product builds, testing, troubleshooting, workmanship standards, process execution, and quality control expectations
• Maintain strong working knowledge of product functionality, manufacturing processes, test requirements, assembly methods, and end-use applications to support operational execution and technical decision-making
• Proactively maintain communication and alignment with cross-functional departments including Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Manufacturing Engineering, and Program Management
• Ensure achievement of operational KPIs including On-Time Delivery, utilization, efficiency, productivity, quality, and cost performance
• Lead capacity planning, workflow optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives to support operational scalability and schedule adherence
• Develop technician and leadership talent through coaching, mentorship, training, succession planning, and partnership with Human Resources to attract and retain technical talent
• Identify and implement operational best practices, standardized work, and process improvements through collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Select, manage, develop, and coach Supervisors, Leads, and Technicians to support operational excellence, accountability, and employee engagement
• Execute effective communication strategies to ensure teams understand operational priorities, business performance, customer expectations, and departmental objectives
• Demonstrate measurable operational results including productivity improvements, cost reductions, quality improvements, and operational efficiency gains
• Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships to support alignment, responsiveness, and execution across the organization
• Translate business strategy into actionable operational priorities and day-to-day execution plans
• Formulate strategic and operational objectives aligned with company goals and customer commitments
• Review operational and financial data to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, execution, and profitability
• Support management of budgets, staffing plans, forecasts, capital planning, and operational resources
• Effectively manage and influence key stakeholders while balancing operational priorities, technical requirements, and customer expectations

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working within a manufacturing environment with direct exposure to production operations, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, quality control, and manufacturing processes
• Operations management or manufacturing leadership experience preferred
• Strong technical understanding of mechanical parts, assemblies, manufacturing methods, testing processes, workmanship standards, and quality requirements
• Ability to serve as a technical resource to Supervisors, Leads, and Technicians regarding product builds, testing, troubleshooting, process execution, and compliance to specifications
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, manufacturing documentation, specifications, procedures, and technical requirements
• Working knowledge of operational effectiveness, manufacturing workflows, production planning, and operations management principles
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, labor planning, and operational resource management
• Familiarity with business operations and financial principles within a manufacturing environment
• Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard business software tools

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working within a manufacturing environment with direct involvement in production, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, quality control, or manufacturing operations
• Operations management, manufacturing leadership, or supervisory experience preferred
• Demonstrated technical understanding of manufacturing processes, mechanical assemblies, product testing, and compliance to engineering specifications and quality standards
• Experience supporting or leading technicians and production personnel in a hands-on manufacturing environment preferred

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time, walk and reach with hands and arms as well as some bending and/or stooping. Occasional light lifting of reams of paper or books up to 20 lbs. or equivalent may be required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Majority of work is performed in a typical office environment with no major sources of discomfort. Essentially a normal controlled working environment with noise levels within acceptable safety limits and acceptable lighting and temperature conditions.

This description indicates the general nature of the tasks and responsibilities required of positions given this classification. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of management to assign, direct and control specific duties of individuals performing this function. The Company reserves the right to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any section of this document as it seems, in its judgment, to be proper. This description supersedes any previous description for this position.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.