Operations Manager

Title: Operations Manager – Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing

Lead Operations. Drive Growth. Shape the Future of Advanced Manufacturing.

MUST HAVE AEROSPACE AND MANUFACTURING to be considered

\Are you a hands-on manufacturing leader with a strong technical background and a passion for operational excellence?

We are seeking an Operations Manager to lead manufacturing operations for an established, technically sophisticated organization serving the aerospace and defense industry. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for someone who thrives in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment and can balance strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership.

The ideal candidate is a proven manufacturing or production leader who understands how to improve processes, develop people, control costs, and deliver quality — while navigating the complexities of a highly regulated industry.

SAP super-user experience is strongly preferred, and candidates with SAP implementation experience will be especially attractive.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the chance to make a visible impact across the entire manufacturing operation. You will work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to improve efficiency, support growth, introduce new technologies, and build a high-performing operation.

You will have significant influence over:

• Manufacturing strategy and operational performance
• Production planning, scheduling, and capacity
• Process improvement and continuous improvement
• Capital investments and ROI analysis
• Quality, safety, and regulatory compliance
• Technology and process transfers
• Team development and organizational performance
• New product introduction, prototyping, and small-series production

What You'll Do

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations, including machining, painting, assembly, and customer service.
• Develop and execute production plans, schedules, budgets, and capital investment strategies.
• Analyze costs, production variances, and operational performance and implement corrective actions.
• Identify opportunities to improve quality, safety, efficiency, productivity, and throughput.
• Establish and monitor operational KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, and other functions to achieve business and revenue objectives.
• Lead product realization activities for prototypes and small-series production.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, EAR, EHS, and OSHA requirements.
• Support technology and manufacturing-process transfers between U.S. and international facilities.
• Develop annual operating plans aligned with business growth, new programs, and increased production volumes.
• Build, coach, and develop a strong operations team.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and fast-paced manufacturing culture.
• Introduce and leverage new technologies and global manufacturing best practices.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of manufacturing/production management experience in a customized engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Aerospace and defense industry experience is required.
• Strong technical background with experience in electro-mechanical manufacturing highly desirable.
• Experience managing high-mix, low-volume production.
• SAP experience strongly preferred, particularly hands-on SAP super-user experience. SAP implementation experience is a plus.
• Experience with ISO 9001 quality systems and manufacturing audits.
• Strong knowledge of continuous improvement, productivity enhancement, and process optimization.
• Practical experience with FMEA, failure analysis, fault-tree analysis, 8D, and related quality methodologies.
• Experience with production planning, budgeting, cost control, and capital expenditure management.
• Electrical engineering and customer-oriented component/subassembly design experience is a plus.
• Experience in a unionized manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

The Ideal Leader

We're looking for someone who is more than a manager — a builder and operator who can create alignment, solve problems, develop people, and turn operational goals into measurable results.

You should be:

• Strategic but willing to get hands-on.
• Entrepreneurial, driven, and accountable.