Director of Manufacturing Operations-Tupelo

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. General Atomics’ Electromagnetic Systems (EMS) Group focuses on the military and commercial applications of advanced electromagnetic technologies, including power generation and distribution, magnetic levitation, and systems design and engineering. The EMS Group supports government customers, which include the Department of Defense, Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation. We have an exciting opportunity for a Manufacturing Manager to join our Electromagnetic Systems Group in Tupelo, MS. This position will report directly to the Vice President of Manufacturing and is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of activities for one or more major manufacturing operations to meet production safety, quality, schedule, and cost objectives.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a 400+ FTE manufacturing facility, ensuring operational excellence across all departments
• Oversee the planning, scheduling, and management of manufacturing operations to achieve business, safety, quality, and financial objectives
• Serve as the primary contact for high-level manufacturing activities and lead progress planning and review sessions to discuss schedule and cost performance
• Provide high-level manufacturing expertise to support the development of new business opportunities and expansion of existing capabilities
• Maintain an outstanding safety record and ensure all operations comply with regulatory and safety requirements
• Foster a culture of safety-first thinking across all manufacturing disciplines
• Oversee multiple manufacturing disciplines including welding and fabrication, machining, electrical and mechanical assembly, capacitor manufacturing, material processing, PCBAs, and complex electrical and mechanical testing
• Ensure machinery, equipment, and tools are well-maintained and operate at optimal efficiency
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and oversee the implementation of lean manufacturing principles
• Identify manufacturing issues and provide leadership in developing effective solutions
• Optimize production schedules based on product introduction timelines, equipment efficiency, and materials supply
• Manage yearly capital expenditure (capex) budgets for new equipment and facility expansions
• Oversee overhead budgets to track spending and base hours to achieve target rates
• Proactively identify issues impacting production workflow, including resource conflicts and material shortages
• Provide guidance to engineering teams regarding design concepts and specification requirements that optimize facility equipment and manufacturing techniques
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to ensure alignment of priorities and objectives
• Ensure manufacturing leadership excellence by overseeing the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of management, professional, and technical talent
• Build and maintain a high-performing team capable of meeting current and future business needs
• Travel expected up to 25%

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering or a related discipline and fifteen or more years of progressively complex manufacturing experience with at least eleven of those years managing manufacturing operations
• May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education
• Must have a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the principles, concepts, theories and practices of manufacturing operations; extensive experience demonstrating a broad application of operations practices, techniques and standards; as well as comprehensive project management and leadership skills, including organizing, planning, scheduling and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones
• Must possess the ability to resolve unusually complex management and technical problems
• Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required
• Must have a Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Security Clearance